UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
18/10/2010
Plumber Endangered Customers' Lives
A self-employed plumber has been prosecuted after carrying out illegal work on gas boilers that was so bad it put his customers' lives at risk.
Michael Gallimore, 62, formerly of Hengrave Road, Fornham All Saints, near Bury St Edmunds, but now temporarily living in Shefford in Bedfordshire, admitted breaching health and safety laws at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted to Mr Gallimore's illegal work by the Gas Safe Register, which had carried out an investigation following a complaint from a customer. Mr Gallimore had installed gas boilers at houses in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, and Weeting in Norfolk between 2008 and 2009.
The investigating officer found that the installation at Weeting was 'immediately dangerous' and classified both installations as 'at risk'. Mr Gallimore had also falsely claimed to be a legally registered engineer while working at the house in Weeting.
Speaking after the case Frank Simmonds, 69, who hired Mr Gallimore to work on his home in Weeting, said: "We asked Michael Gallimore if he was qualified to do the gas work and he told us he was. We asked to see his paperwork and he said he would provide it to us later - but it just didn't appear. I would advise anyone hiring a tradesman to always check and double check the paperwork before you allow them to start work in your home. You think it will never happen to you but it can."
HSE Inspector Sue Matthews, said: "It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out work on a gas appliance. When unregistered workers try to bypass the law in this way they are not only putting themselves at risk of prosecution and a large fine, they are also putting their customers' lives at risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous. Only qualified and registered engineers should attempt it. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law in this way."
Mr Gallimore admitted breaching regulations 3(3), 3(7) and 33(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 and Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Magistrates sentenced Mr Gallimore to a one year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £4,000 in costs.
(CD)
Michael Gallimore, 62, formerly of Hengrave Road, Fornham All Saints, near Bury St Edmunds, but now temporarily living in Shefford in Bedfordshire, admitted breaching health and safety laws at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted to Mr Gallimore's illegal work by the Gas Safe Register, which had carried out an investigation following a complaint from a customer. Mr Gallimore had installed gas boilers at houses in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, and Weeting in Norfolk between 2008 and 2009.
The investigating officer found that the installation at Weeting was 'immediately dangerous' and classified both installations as 'at risk'. Mr Gallimore had also falsely claimed to be a legally registered engineer while working at the house in Weeting.
-- Advertisement --
Speaking after the case Frank Simmonds, 69, who hired Mr Gallimore to work on his home in Weeting, said: "We asked Michael Gallimore if he was qualified to do the gas work and he told us he was. We asked to see his paperwork and he said he would provide it to us later - but it just didn't appear. I would advise anyone hiring a tradesman to always check and double check the paperwork before you allow them to start work in your home. You think it will never happen to you but it can."
HSE Inspector Sue Matthews, said: "It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out work on a gas appliance. When unregistered workers try to bypass the law in this way they are not only putting themselves at risk of prosecution and a large fine, they are also putting their customers' lives at risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous. Only qualified and registered engineers should attempt it. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law in this way."
Mr Gallimore admitted breaching regulations 3(3), 3(7) and 33(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 and Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Magistrates sentenced Mr Gallimore to a one year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £4,000 in costs.
(CD)
Latest Construction News
29/01/2025
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £43 million contract to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse's flagship regeneration scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The project, known as Upper Trinity Street, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.
Spanning 182,986 square feet, the re
29/01/2025
McLaren Construction has been appointed by O&H Properties to deliver the first phase of a £60 million Foster & Partners-designed development at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street in London’s West End.
The seven-storey, 5,400 square metre prime retail and office scheme will feature ret
29/01/2025
GMI Construction Group has been awarded a contract to develop three high-specification warehouse units totalling over 175,000 square feet at Precedent Drive, Milton Keynes.
The £20 million project, commissioned by DV5 Last Mile Developments (UK) Ltd, a joint venture between Coltham and Delancey Re
29/01/2025
Plans for 106 sustainable new homes in Southville, a neighbourhood in South Bristol, have been approved as the city seeks to increase housing delivery to address growing demand.
Top 10 award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group will create a £60 million development on Raleigh Road, on land that was
29/01/2025
Bouygues UK has reached a major milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London.
The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the 11-s
29/01/2025
Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a significant upgrade to the roof of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, one of London's most iconic cultural landmarks.
As part of the £12 million project, the company is installing over 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing above the museum’s
29/01/2025
Equans has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to carry out crucial decarbonisation work across the councils' housing stock, using funding secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The councils used the South East Consortium's Zero Carbon Framework to s
29/01/2025
In the world of construction, the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability is ever-evolving. Among the array of solutions available, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation stands out as a versatile and effective option for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings, particularly when used f
29/01/2025
BCP Council has completed significant coastal protection works at Hamworthy Park, ensuring its resilience against erosion for the next 20 years.
A 200-metre stretch of sea wall along the eastern promenade has been reinforced using low-carbon concrete, while new steps have been constructed to improv
29/01/2025
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has strengthened its team with a trio of recruits.
The multidisciplinary company's latest raft of hires comprises a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
The geo-environmental specialist, headquartered i
