A recent BBC rogue trader programme highlighted the number of unregistered gas installers plying their 'trade' in this country. According to the programme new research has estimated there are probably around 7500 illegal gas installers operating in the UK, responsible for a quarter of a million jobs each year. But how do you get 7500 illegal installers, to change their view of life and join the Gas Safe Register, with all its technical competence and financial requirements?
The BBC report also stated that some illegal installers are quite openly advertising that they are Gas Safe Registered – even going to the lengths of using fake Gas Safe Register ID cards and van signage. In addition a colleague of mine recently received a letter from a large national gas organisation, informing him that they were about to undertake some essential work in his area and if any customer was unsure of the validity of the installer they should ring the telephone number on the back of his card. I might be missing something here, but if you have gone to the trouble to produce a fake ID card wouldn’t you put a bogus contact number on the back – a number that a co-conspirator would naturally answer and confirm the identity of the card holder?
Although there has always been an argument as to whether an unregistered installer is more dangerous than a registered installer the watchdog programme suggests that the illegal installer is 32 times more likely to cause a carbon monoxide related incident than a registered installer.
I am not too sure on what evidence they based that claim, but one would assume we are not talking about someone who just fails to register, but also fails to undertake appropriate training and assessment, with all its cost implications.
However, although the unregistered installer by-passes the system, in the same way people don’t have a TV licence, or pay car tax, or have a valid MOT for their car, they are perhaps missing one vital element of being a gas installer - that is a healthy respect for the fuel and what it can do if things go wrong.
Several years ago I was part of the investigation process when a fatality occurred following the actions of a qualified installer, who by his own admittance 'missed' some tell tale signs that should have alerted him to a possible problem. He was fully trained and competent and yet was responsible for the death of a person. During the subsequent court case he made the following statement that has stayed with me ever since.
'Nobody gets up in the morning and makes the decision to carry out some work on a gas appliance with the intention that a person will be maimed or die… '
I am sure he was right and the statement applies to every fatality that occurs as a result of incompetent gas work, whether undertaken by a registered installer, or an unregistered illegal installer.
Throughout my training experience, as an apprentice, qualified engineer and training professional the first thing on the agenda was a respect and in some cases a fear of what could happen; coupled with being able to recognise that things were perhaps not as they should be - the 'alarm bells ringing' syndrome.
For someone with a modicum of practical skills it may seem fairly straightforward to connect a gas appliance to the installation, but it is the ability to ensure the appliance is operating correctly, and the installation is safe to use that is the key.
Not being registered with an organisation does not on its own make the installer dangerous – it is the conditions that go with acquiring and maintaining that membership that is important. If the illegal installer does not have a respect and fear of the fuel, coupled with a lack of understanding of correct installation and commissioning procedures, it becomes a lethal cocktail just waiting for a victim.
But how do you get 7500 estimated illegal installers, to change their view of life and join the Gas Safe Register, with all its technical competence requirements.
The main thrust at the moment would be appear to be to drive the message home to the customer base to ensure they check that their preferred installer is registered, and hopefully, in time, this will have the desired effect
As an industry we will probably never be totally rid of the illegal installer and many people are motivated by a cheaper price – even if it could endanger their or their family's well being. But we can all make it difficult for the illegal installer by helping to spread the Gas Safe Register message through our own family, friends and customers.
As Jeff Learman, one of the directors of Gas Safe Register, told Watchdog:
'If the person you booked to do work in your home does not provide this ID card when they arrive, our advice is not to let them in your home.'
In view of the fake ID cards and possible bogus telephone numbers we should also be spreading the message to of checking the validity of the card with Gas Safe Register.
If in doubt ring 0800 408 5500.
Keywords: Gas Safe Register
Illegal Gas Installers
Fake Gas Safe Cards
ID Card
BBC Watchdog
Identity Cards
Non Registered Installers
