A self-employed plumber from the West Midlands has been sentenced to prison after carrying out illegal and unsafe gas work. Daniel Kelly Mountain, during the years 2020 and 2021, installed and worked on gas boilers without being registered with the Gas Safe Register, as required by law. He also falsely advertised himself as being Gas Safe Registered.
Official inspectors from the Gas Safe Register found the work carried out by Mr. Mountain to be unsafe and in a condition of immediate danger or risk. This posed a significant risk to the safety of the occupants.
This is not the first time Mr. Mountain has been investigated for such offences. In 2016, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued him a Prohibition Notice, warning him not to carry out any gas work until he was registered with the Gas Safe Register. However, Mr. Mountain breached this notice and continued to perform unlawful and unsafe gas work in various domestic properties across the West Midlands.
Gas Safe Register is the official body responsible for gas safety in the United Kingdom. All individuals and businesses involved in gas work must be registered with Gas Safe Register to ensure compliance with safety standards.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court on October 6, Mr. Mountain, formerly of Wellington Court, Bilston, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of gas safety regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act. He received a 12-month custodial sentence.
HSE inspector Marie-Louise Riley-Roberts emphasised the importance of gas work being carried out by registered and competent professionals. She stated, “All gas work must be done by a registered Gas Safe engineer to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life. Please let this be a warning to other rogue gas fitters.”
The Health and Safety Executive provides guidance on gas safety, and information about the Gas Safe Register is widely available to the public. It is crucial for individuals to verify the registration of gas engineers before allowing them to carry out any gas work to ensure the safety of themselves and their property.
