Menu
16/01/2008
Warning Follows Gas Installer's Jail Sentence
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to the public to only allow qualified 'CORGI' registered gas installers to work on their appliances.
The call was made shortly after the inquest into the tragic death of a baby killed by scalding water from a faulty council boiler ruled that the death was 'avoidable'.
The infant received 95% burns when scalding water cascaded down on her cot when a water tank burst.
The jury at the inquest into the death of ten-month-old Rhianna Hardie at her council home in Taunton, Somerset, ruled she would not have died had the Government informed her landlords of a similar tragedy four years earlier.
Earlier, the jury heard that faults which led to the water tank exploding were reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, but there was a failure to pass the information on to local authorities across Britain.
The new advice just released, relates to the fact that every year about 25 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained.
The warning comes after David Mountford, from Longton, Stoke on Trent, was sentenced to six months in prison, on each of four charges, by Newcastle under Lyme Magistrates Court on Friday 11 January 2008. The sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecution followed an investigation into numerous incidents where Mr Mountford carried out work on gas appliances whilst he did not possess CORGI registration. He pleaded guilty to four charges of breaching HSE Prohibition Notices and two charges of falsely claiming CORGI registration.
The court heard that work was often carried out under different names, including David Mansfield, and using different company titles.
Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Dr Janice Dale, said: "HSE has pursued a long investigation of Mr Mountford's activities and we are therefore pleased that the seriousness of his activities has been recognised in the sentence. Mountford admitted falsely pretending to be CORGI registered.
"As the court heard Mountford was prosecuted for similar gas work in 2005 and was the subject of a Prohibition Notice in 2004 preventing Mountford from carrying out gas work because he was not competent and was not competent and was not registered with CORGI.
"He chose to ignore this and continued to carry out work on gas appliances, putting the public at risk from both carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosions. Had Mountford been registered with CORGI he would have been subjected to regular scrutiny and checks of his competence."
Dr Dale concluded: "This case should serve as a reminder to the general public that anyone they ask to undertake gas work must be CORGI registered. If the installer does not have their ID card, you should not let them into your property. You can also check an installer’s registration on the CORGI website. This case should also be a warning to traders that they must be registered with CORGI and only undertake work for which they are qualified and competent."
See: Scalded Baby Death 'Avoidable'
(JM)(BMcC)
The call was made shortly after the inquest into the tragic death of a baby killed by scalding water from a faulty council boiler ruled that the death was 'avoidable'.
The infant received 95% burns when scalding water cascaded down on her cot when a water tank burst.
The jury at the inquest into the death of ten-month-old Rhianna Hardie at her council home in Taunton, Somerset, ruled she would not have died had the Government informed her landlords of a similar tragedy four years earlier.
Earlier, the jury heard that faults which led to the water tank exploding were reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, but there was a failure to pass the information on to local authorities across Britain.
The new advice just released, relates to the fact that every year about 25 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained.
The warning comes after David Mountford, from Longton, Stoke on Trent, was sentenced to six months in prison, on each of four charges, by Newcastle under Lyme Magistrates Court on Friday 11 January 2008. The sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecution followed an investigation into numerous incidents where Mr Mountford carried out work on gas appliances whilst he did not possess CORGI registration. He pleaded guilty to four charges of breaching HSE Prohibition Notices and two charges of falsely claiming CORGI registration.
The court heard that work was often carried out under different names, including David Mansfield, and using different company titles.
Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Dr Janice Dale, said: "HSE has pursued a long investigation of Mr Mountford's activities and we are therefore pleased that the seriousness of his activities has been recognised in the sentence. Mountford admitted falsely pretending to be CORGI registered.
"As the court heard Mountford was prosecuted for similar gas work in 2005 and was the subject of a Prohibition Notice in 2004 preventing Mountford from carrying out gas work because he was not competent and was not competent and was not registered with CORGI.
"He chose to ignore this and continued to carry out work on gas appliances, putting the public at risk from both carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosions. Had Mountford been registered with CORGI he would have been subjected to regular scrutiny and checks of his competence."
Dr Dale concluded: "This case should serve as a reminder to the general public that anyone they ask to undertake gas work must be CORGI registered. If the installer does not have their ID card, you should not let them into your property. You can also check an installer’s registration on the CORGI website. This case should also be a warning to traders that they must be registered with CORGI and only undertake work for which they are qualified and competent."
See: Scalded Baby Death 'Avoidable'
(JM)(BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2010
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
26 August 2014
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
31 July 2008
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
21 July 2011
Plumber 'Jailed' Over Explosion
A Wolverhampton plumber has been given a ten-month suspended jail sentence for causing a gas explosion and fire in which a pensioner sustained 21 per cent burns rescuing his nine-year-old granddaughter.
Plumber 'Jailed' Over Explosion
A Wolverhampton plumber has been given a ten-month suspended jail sentence for causing a gas explosion and fire in which a pensioner sustained 21 per cent burns rescuing his nine-year-old granddaughter.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
