Illegal gas workers put your life at risk

We’re not surprised when you ask ‘is there really anything wrong with getting a friend or that odd job person up the road to fix my boiler or put in a new gas fire?’

After all, to you they may hardly seem like cowboys. They may appear to know what they’re doing. They may even show you their gas qualifications. Or maybe you know they’re not registered but from what you hear, they’re quick and cheap. What’s the worst that can happen?

Illegal gas work can lead to a gas leak, fire, explosion and exposure to carbon monoxide. And the worst that can happen is you, your family or friends could be seriously injured or killed. It sounds melodramatic but sadly, this is too often the reality.

It is against the law for anyone to do work on gas appliances in Great Britain and Isle of Man unless they are Gas Safe registered.

If they’re not Gas Safe registered, they’re not safe

Every month, we get complaints about unsafe gas work carried out by illegal and untrained gas workers. When our team of Inspectors go out to investigate, they often find accidents waiting to happen.

• Immediately Dangerous  – 12% of gas appliances we inspect are in a state that puts your life and your property in immediate danger.
• At Risk  – 74% of gas appliances we inspect are in a state that puts your life and your property in danger if they’re not put right soon by a Gas Safe registered engineer

Cowboys and gas don’t mix so spot the illegal

Illegal gas workers come in many guises. You won’t know they’re safe unless you check that they’re on the Gas Safe Register. If they’re not on the register don’t use them, if they are make sure they are qualified to do the type of gas work you want.

How do I know if the gas fitter I’m using is illegal?

• If they are not Gas Safe registered (they have to register even if they have gas qualifications) and can’t show you their ID card, they are illegal.
• If they put in a gas fire for example, but they’re only Gas Safe registered for pipework and boilers, they are illegal.
• If they work for a Gas Safe registered firm during the week and are doing private work in their spare time on the side, they are illegal.

Not sure if your gas fitter is legal?
We can check for you. We can help you to find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your local area.

Protecting you from unsafe gas work is our priority. If you think someone is working on gas illegally, report them and we will investigate their work.

There are more than 120,000 engineers on the Gas Safe Register. To check that they’re continuing to work safely we randomly inspect the work they’ve carried out. If you’ve had gas work done in the last six months, you can nominate it for a free gas safety inspection.