HSE warns residents in Hampshire to check gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers

Health and safety inspectors believe illegal gas fitters are operating in Hampshire.

Great Britain’s workplace regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is investigating several reports of unsafe gas work carried out in Portsmouth and Havant.

Investigations are ongoing after several houses needed gas servicing work to be redone by competent Gas Safe registered engineers.

Anyone who has had gas work recently carried out in their home should check that the work has been undertaken by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer. This is easily checked on the Gas Safe website.

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses registered to work on gas appliances and fittings. By law, anyone working with gas must be listed on the register.

Where residents in Hampshire think that gas work may have been carried out by an unregistered gas fitter, the gas work should be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Concerns should also be reported to Gas Safe.

HSE inspector Nicola Pinckney said: “While gas is an incredibly safe way of fuelling your home, any work carried out should be done by an engineer who is on the Gas Safe register.

“HSE will investigate any rogue fitters operating in the area.”

HSE recommends homeowners get gas appliances, flues, and pipework regularly maintained and serviced every year by a suitably qualified engineer listed on the Gas Safe Register.

If you smell gas call 0800 111 999. More information on what to do if you smell gas can be found at:  What To Do in a Gas Emergency – Gas Safe Register

For more information on gas health and safety visit HSE’s website.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise.
  2. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.