An illegal gas fitter has been given an immediate four month custodial sentence after the gas boilers he installed at two domestic premises were found to be ‘immediately dangerous’ and ‘at risk’, requiring them to be both be immediately disconnected.
Peter Janjic of Greater Manchester, fitted boilers and carried out associated gas work at two domestic properties in Warrington between January 2013 and October 2014 despite not being registered with Gas Safe Register – the official list of qualified and legal gas engineers.
Peter Janjic was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive following a report by Gas Safe Register detailing that the defective gas work carried out at both properties was far below the industry recognised standards. The Gas Safe inspector subsequently disconnected both appliances.
Trafford Magistrates Court heard that Peter Janjic had been warned by HSE on six separate occasions between 2011 and 2014, and had been served with a prohibition notice in August 2013 prohibiting him from carrying out gas work until he became Gas Safe registered, and could demonstrate he was competent to carry out gas work in a safe manner.
Peter Janjic, of Green Lane, Eccles, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to two gas installations, including unregistered work, breaching a prohibition notice and putting members of the public at risk.
He was sentenced to two months in prison for breaching Reg 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 andtwo months for breaching Section 3(2) and S33 (1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was taken into custody after the hearing.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Jackie Worrall said: “Peter Janjic had failed to comply with a prohibition notice and he had failed to become registered with Gas Safe despite knowing the requirements to be registered.
“He claimed that he was registered with Gas Safe to customers, thus confirming that he knew he should be registered, and he exposed customers to serious risk of death. Mr Janjic has shown a reckless and flagrant disregard for health and safety requirements”.
Phill Brewster, head of investigations for Gas Safe Register said: “In the right hands gas is safe, but in the wrong hands badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances are deadly. It is vital that people check their engineer’s Gas Safe ID card which will show what qualifications they have and which gas appliances they are competent to work on.”
If you are concerned about work you’ve had done, visithttp://gassaferegister.co.uk/help/report_an_illegal_gas_engineer.aspx 
or call 0800 408 5500.