A fitter has been jailed for 18 months after carrying out illegal gas work which was deemed by Gas Safe Register as immediately dangerous to life and property.

York Magistrates’ Court heard that between 14 and 15 November 2015 and in the summer of 2017, Paul Golding undertook illegal gas work at an address in Scarborough.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Golding was not Gas Safe registered, nor did he hold the relevant competencies to undertake the work.

Mr Golding was aware that he should not have been undertaking gas work but did so in contravention of an HSE Prohibition Notice served on him in 2015.

Paul Golding of Queen Margaret’s Road, Scarborough was found guilty of breaching:

• Section 3 (2) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• Section 33 (1) (g) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• Regulation 3 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
• Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Darian Dundas commented:

“Paul Golding undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against rogue gas fitters who disregard the law and place lives at risk.”

“Working with domestic gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous, so it is vital that this is only undertaken by trained and competent engineers who are registered with Gas safe.”

By Patrick Mooney, Editor