Lives at risk in Colchester because of unregistered gas workers (From Gazette)
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Lives at risk in Colchester because of unregistered gas workers
10:00am Monday 10th September 2012 in News
LIVES in Colchester are being put at risk because of work being carried out by unregistered gas engineers, according to a utility regulator.
Gas Safe Register, which is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom, carried out tests on five gas appliances in the town over the last year and all were found to be unsafe.
Of the five inspected, two were found to be immediately dangerous and posed a risk of leaking deadly gas carbon monoxide.
A Gas Safe Register spokeswoman said: “Because carbon monoxide is tasteless, colourless and odourless, it is almost impossible to detect and people don’t realise they are in danger until it is too late.”
Ron Gainsford, chief executive of the Trading Standards Institute, added: “We are very concerned at these new figures which show that 40 per cent of appliances were deemed immediately dangerous.
“Using an unregistered gas engineer is not a way to save money.
“These people are working illegally and the resulting damage could end up costing homeowners much more.”
Comments(5)
Colonel Kurtz
says...
11:39am Mon 10 Sep 12
Johnny T
says...
4:49pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Colonel Kurtz
says...
7:30pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Can you imagine what that would be without any laws.
Boris
says...
8:20pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Johnny T wrote:Probably both things happened. Some people are nostalgic for the good old days when things may have been more picturesque, and bills were lower, but people died in much greater numbers, and at an earlier age (on average).
What did we do before Corgie and gas safe and health and safety did hundreds of people die or did we get it done faster and cheaper?
I seldom agree with the Colonel but his comment about Ronan Point is spot on.
Say It As It Is OK? says...
10:40am Mon 10 Sep 12
As a landlord of residential properties I'm well aware of the pitfalls and the importance of safeguarding both landlord and tenant by using Gas Safe registered engineers for annual checks or appliance repairs.
Some engineers openly say they are registered, although they don't or can't provide proof of their registration. This is an offence but the overall responsibility for safety clearly rests with the landlord or owner to ensure the engineer is registered by seeing proof of their registration.
Don't let anyone work on your gas appliances unless you are 100% satisfied of their credentials.