An Essex court has emphasised the necessity of gas courses for engineers carrying out work on boilers, after it fined an unqualified plumber for breaching regulations.
Southend Magistrates' Court handed Anthony Grove an £850 fine - plus court costs of £500 - following a guilty plea to breaching two safety laws for working on equipment without the correct training.
This may encourage engineers in the industry to sign up to gas courses to ensure they are have the required expertise to check and install such machinery.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Steve Hook commented after the case: "Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous. Only qualified and registered engineers should attempt it."
Mr Grove installed two boilers in 2009 and both customers complained about his work.
This week, the HSE reminded landlords that they are obliged to maintain the pipework in their properties and should utilise workers on the Gas Safe register.
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