The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reminded of the dangers of using workmen who are not registered or qualified.
Following the prosecution of Peter Welke, who also goes by the name Peter McKay, formerly of Edelstone Road in Blackpool, for carrying out gas fitting work without being registered, HSE inspector Ian Philips highlighted the importance of using trained professionals for any work on
gas central heating or
boiler maintenance.
By law, gas fitters must be registered and have the relevant qualifications for the type of work they have been tasked with carrying out.
"Qualified gas fitters know how to install boilers properly so that air circulates around them, preventing carbon monoxide from building up. People should therefore always check gas fitters' ID before allowing work to go ahead," said Mr Philips.
Up until April this year, gas professionals had to be registered with Corgi. However, now registration must be with the Gas Safe
TM Register, the new body approved by the HSE.
