Brits risking their lives by using dodgy tradesmen
Hundreds of thousands of people could be at huge risk of serious injury or even death because they are using unregistered and untrained cowboys to do their gas work.
One in five homes investigated by the national Gas Safe Register in 2010 were found to be ‘Immediately Dangerous’ and the appliances had to be disconnected straight away in order to make them safe.
In all cases the work had been done by an illegal gas fitter.
According to the Gas Safe Register, around 250,000 illegal gas jobs are done each year; however the figure could be much higher if a new survey released today is anything to go by.
The study found over a third would trust a tradesman to carry out work solely based on a recommendation from friends or family, compared to just 2% who would actively look on the Gas Safe Register for a qualified gas fitter.
Furthermore, only 12% would ask a worker for their Gas Safe Register ID card before giving them the go ahead to complete work, while more than one in ten would even ask an unqualified friend or relative to do the job.
Poorly maintained, faulty or badly installed gas work can lead to gas leaks which can cause explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning, the effects of which can be fatal.
There are also financial ramifications of having unauthorised gas work done with an estimated £100 million a year wasted to rectify illegal gas jobs that have gone wrong.
“If you have a boiler fitted by a gas engineer who isn’t registered to do the work, then you may end up paying to have it ripped out and start again which may cost you thousands of pounds. It may also put your life in danger,” warns Phill Brewster, Gas Safe Register’s national investigations manager.
On average these jobs cost an extra 25% to fix and because insurance companies won’t pay out on claims made on illegal work the costs can become astronomical.
Phill continues, “Money may be tight so it’s understandable that people ask around for recommendations in the hope of getting a good job done. But with 250,000 illegal gas jobs done every year by cowboys, it’s shocking that five times as many people would hire a gas engineer simply on trust rather than checking they’re safe, legal and Gas Safe registered.”
Tips to make sure you stay safe:
1. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix, fit or service your gas appliances
2. You can find a Gas Safe registered engineer online at gassaferegister.co.uk
3. Always check the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID Card (or Gas Safe ID card)
4. Check the engineer is qualified for the work you need - you can find this information on the back of their ID card
5. Nominate your property for a free gas safety inspection
6. Report illegal gas fitters
For more information visit: gassaferegister.co.uk
