A 39 year old UK plumber was jailed for two and a half years for falsely claiming to be qualified to work on gas appliances.

If there is one element of plumbing that you should not falsify your credentials, it is in gas fitting. However, that is exactly what plumber Simon Dale did.

This plumber, despite being unqualified, worked on six Wiltshire properties in London while claiming to be qualified and using logos on his van and in paperwork that suggested he was approved by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) and the Oil Fitting technical Association.

Dale’s subsequent arrest and prosecution, highlights the need for regulatory bodies and consumers to be more vigilant in checking a plumber’s credentials.

Dale was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as well as Wiltshire Council. HSE Inspector Andy Shaw referred to the behaviour as “dangerous and illegal and said that “members of public should check that gasfitters are members of the industry body before any work is started.”

Following a consumer complaint Dale was removed from his membership at CIPHE.

Given the rising number of CO deaths and the problems associated with incorrect gas fitting installation, Dale’s incarceration sends a strong message to all tradies around the world, to only conduct work they are licensed for. Illegal work is unacceptable in an industry that is supposed to protect health, not put it in harm’s way.