Prosecutions

The builder was taking so long finishing the construction the owner called in another builder who advised him power connections in the flat may be dangerous.

Bradford Magistrates' Court heard today that the builder was paid around £28,000 to build a granny flat/bungalow at the back of a house in Bradford.

The defendant started work in May 2009 but by June 2010 the owner of the property called in another builder after the first builder failed to turn up several times on site and finish the work.

The builder had installed a gas boiler in the loft and gas hob in the kitchen and left them connected to the mains supply, despite not being a Gas Safe registered engineer. He also undertook electrical work and left it in an unsafe state.

The owner then asked Bradford Council's Building Control to investigate and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were notified.

Tests by HSE and a Gas Safe registered engineer showed gas work was unsafe and the boiler could have been a danger to life or property if operated.

An electrical test concluded the builder’s work posed an unacceptable risk of injury or death.

HSE served a Prohibition Notice on the builder on 25 November 2010 preventing him from carrying out any domestic gas work until he becomes competent and Gas Safe registered.

Bradford Magistrates jailed the builder for four months after he pleaded guilty to five breaches of health and safety legislation and Gas Safety Regulations.

After the hearing an Inspector who investigated the case for HSE said:

"The builder selfishly chose to put a future resident of this property in danger, and it could very easily have ended in tragedy. It is fortunate that his incompetent work was discovered by another builder and reported.

"This was a good result from partnership working with Bradford Council and its building control experts. We uncovered a classic example of a builder trying to cut corners on a project and putting profit before safety. The builder should have called in the registered professionals to ensure the necessary work was done safely."

A Bradford Council Principal Building Control Surveyor said:

"One of our Building Control Surveyors was called in by the owner and was immediately concerned about unsafe gas and electrical work being carried out and the Building Regulations being flouted. We arranged joint inspections and meetings with Gas Safe and later with the HSE to resolve the safety issues.

"The HSE decided to prosecute the builder because his work had posed a risk to people's lives and we were able to support the prosecution.

"I hope this prosecution will serve as a warning to any other builders that they may be taken to court if they do not comply with regulations which are there to ensure people are safe in their own homes."

The chief executive of Gas Safe Register said:

"Only a Gas Safe registered engineer should carry out gas work in your property. Every registered engineer carries a Gas Safe Register ID card with their own unique licence number. Before any gas work is carried out, always check their ID card to make sure your engineer is qualified for the work you want done and their qualifications are in date."