The importance of tradespersons who have taken a gas training course has been highlighted by a new legal case launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

According to the body, self-employed gas installer Jaime Loxston was fined £1,250 and ordered to pay £550 worth of costs after he was found to have put 700 seasonal workers in danger.

Mr Loxston had been contracted to connect and disconnect pipework, fit appliances and conduct gas safety inspections in up to 200 caravans on a site in Brierley, Herefordshire between 2004 and 2008.

However, he was not Corgi registered at the time and was found guilty of breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.

Corgi was replaced by the Gas Safe Register as the UK's official gas registration body.

HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: "Badly fitted gas appliances can be highly dangerous, if not fatal."

Want to know more about our Gas Courses