6 minute read
Day in the life
A common issue: an unsealed, unsupported chimney Gas fire chimney/flue teminating in the roof space
Bringing rogue gas workers to justice
What happens when Gas Safe Register investigates a report of illegal gas work? Highly experienced regional investigations officer Keith Mckinlay talks to Registered Gas Engineer about his role and what a typical day can involve.
The road to RIO
“I started as an apprentice with Scottish Gas in Edinburgh in 1976, working up through the ranks to become a service technician. I joined Corgi in 1991 as an inspector when it became mandatory for gas engineers to be registered.
“I was a complaint inspector for a few years, dealing with registered complaints and concerns in the central belt of Scotland.
“My role now as a regional investigations officer requires me to have most ACS qualifications, including domestic, nondomestic and commercial catering, and covering both natural gas and LPG. RIOs also receive training in acting as a witness and report writing, which becomes very useful when we appear in court cases.”
When Keith’s not at work, he can often be found on two wheels. With four motorbikes – three of which are classics from the 1970s and 1980s – as well as mountain bikes and an electric version, he’s either riding them or maintaining them. And he loves to spend any other spare time with his new baby granddaughter. Inever know what to expect when I walk through the door to a new investigation,” says Keith Mckinlay. He looks after a big area that covers Scotland and the north of England and has seen most things during his long career. But he is determined to make sure that those who put other people’s lives at risk for money face justice.
The team of seven regional investigations officers (RIOs) actively investigate illegal – and usually unsafe – gas work to provide the evidence that’s needed for enforcement agencies to take action where appropriate. They also support the Register’s inspectors in identifying illegal gas work.
Reports of illegal gas work come from many sources, including homeowners, gas engineers, HSE, Trading Standards and environmental health officers, but they’re often anonymous. It’s down to Keith and his knowledge and expertise to find out exactly what’s wrong with the installation and to discover who is responsible.
“Typically, an investigation starts when a customer or homeowner contacts Gas Safe Register and raises concerns about their installation or service by a suspected unregistered installer,” says Keith. “Initially, I try to establish if there are any The most common serous defects include: • Detached chimney/flues due to being unsupported and unsecured with brackets and screws • Gas escapes • Spillage of products of combustion • Incorrect chimney/flue terminations • Appliances not commissioned correctly.
immediate dangers or gas safety concerns, such as a smell of fumes, or whether a CO alarm has activated.”
Before Keith physically inspects the appliance or installation, he examines any evidence that’s already available, including work records, invoices and receipts, and takes a statement from the complainant to establish what gas work was done, who did it, when, whether it was witnessed and any other information that could be relevant.
Then it’s time to visually inspect the whole installation and risk assess it. Keith uses a safe-to-touch voltage stick on all metallic parts to keep himself safe while he’s doing operational checks, and he carries out a tightness test to make sure there isn’t a gas escape. If there are no
A gas escape at the meter A gas hob installed with flexi hose, with heat damage to the hose
A builder had extended the chimney/flue with plastic drainpipe out of the window. The plastic melted, of course
obvious dangers, he then carries out GSIUR 26/9 checks.
“Gas Safe Register’s priority is the safety of the public’s life and property. So if there is an immediate concern, I will provide the appropriate gas safety advice and contact the National Gas Emergency Service Provider.”
Having carried out the checks and tests, he records everything, including any gas safety defects, in his report, classifying them and taking action in accordance with the Unsafe Situations Procedure (IGEM/G/11/Edition 2). “It will come as no surprise that most of the unregistered work I investigate is either Immediately Dangerous or At Risk and will often include Not to Current Standards defects.”
All ID and AR defects are photographed and referenced, and Keith uses Danger Do Not Use warning labels and Warning advice notices too. Not to Current Standards defects are recorded in reports but these do not form part of the Unsafe Situations Procedure. “On completion of the investigation, I will advise the complainant verbally of my findings.”
Keith sends a final detailed report, including all defects and photographs and information about what is needed to rectify the defective gas work, to the complainant and the HSE within 10 days of his visit.
But it’s not down to Gas Safe Register to decide on what action should be taken. “Gas Safe Register does not have enforcement powers but it is responsible for investigating and compiling the evidence of illegal gas work that is then used by enforcement agencies to bring prosecutions, where necessary.”
Enforcement around illegal gas work is the responsibility of the HSE, which reviews the report and carries out its own investigation. Actions under its Enforcement Policy may include: • A Warning Letter: the first stage of enforcement • A Prohibition Notice: this orders the worker to stop working on gas immediately • Prosecution: this may result in a fine and/or imprisonment. ■
Keith has seen most things in his career, but there are some investigations that have stuck in his mind. “I did an investigation in Edinburgh where an unregistered fitter had fitted a combi boiler in the converted roof space. The homeowner had contacted Gas Safe Register initially because the newly installed boiler kept cutting off after short periods.”
The installer would not return to site. Keith says: “It was not until I attended that I discovered that the chimney/flue was falling apart because it had not been secured correctly [see right]: jointing clamps and screws were missing. When the boiler was in operation, the boiler was discharging products of combustion into the roof space bedroom area.
“There were two small tents in the roof and the customer told me that is where his grandkids loved to sleep when they visited at the weekend. The family was so lucky they contacted us with their concerns.”
Keith made safe by disconnecting the boiler from the gas supply and he submitted a RIDDOR to HSE. The case was followed up by HSE and Police Scotland.
He’s also particularly proud of the role he played in bringing the prosecution in 2021 of an illegal gas worker who had been working in Edinburgh and the north-east of England for several years. HSE said Dean Mulholland Blues’ dangerous work had put people’s lives at risk from carbon monoxide, asphyxiation, fire and explosion in seven homes. He had been advertising using a false name and several telephone numbers and had at least three bank accounts to evade detection. Justice finally caught up with him and he was sent to prison for three years.
