The Gas Safe Register celebrates its first anniversary on 1st April and it has now firmly embedded itself in the minds of consumers looking to have gas work done in their homes.

For those working directly with gas the switch from Corgi has also been straightforward and almost universal. The Register now holds registrations for over 60,000 businesses and will continue to grow in 2010 when businesses from Guernsey and Northern Ireland also come aboard.

Those working with gas may be familiar with the rules and their responsibilities but what about those in the broader construction trades who may be working alongside them?

Under Regulation 8 of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, those working in trades other than gas also have a legal duty not to compromise the safety of gas installations in the course of their work. Read more »

New research on cowboy gas fitters reveals that they are most likely to work on gas pipework and gas cookers and hobs, compared to other gas appliances in the home. The study carried out for Gas Safe Register estimates that 100,000 gas cookers and hobs are installed illegally every year by fitters who don’t have the skills or the qualifications to work on gas.

The research further identifies that a quarter of a million gas jobs are carried out each year by at least 7,500 hard core illegal gas fitters. They are potentially the most dangerous type of illegal gas workers in the country. As well as carrying out gas work, many may also undertake plumbing jobs, bathroom fitting, kitchen fitting, general building and electrical work.

Commenting on the research, Phill Brewster, Gas Safe Register’s national investigations manager said:

"For a consumer there’s an awful lot to think about when they’re doing any improvements to their home, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. So, it’s not surprising that for some, it can slip their mind that certain jobs have to be done by skilled tradesmen." Read more »

“Research for Gas Safe Register found that regular servicing of gas appliances is not a priority in far too many households. Almost a fifth (19.05%) of households with a gas boiler had not had it serviced for at least three years and an alarming 13% of households had never had their boiler serviced or would only do so if there was a problem. The figures for maintaining gas fires were even worse. Almost 1 in 3 (29%) never serviced their gas fire, or last had it serviced or maintained over three years ago.

The credit crunch could result in an increase in fatalities linked to unsafe gas and electrical installations, with over 4 in 10 people (41.4%) admitting they are more likely to tinker with their electrics or fit a new gas appliance in the current economic climate. Only 15% of respondents said they would always use a professional tradesman.

The research, carried out for Gas Safe Registery, highlighted a worrying discrepancy between people’s perception of danger and their willingness to risk their family’s safety. While 82% of those questioned considered it dangerous to fit a gas fire themselves, 1 in 10 were still prepared to do so. Read more »