Survey reveals alarming risks of illegal gas work

One in five installers say illegal gas work is directly harming their business, from lost contracts and reputational damage to time and money spent rectifying botched jobs.

The survey highlights concerns not just about customer safety, but about cost, with a third of installers saying customers typically pay over £400 to repair these dangerous installations.

The figures suggest that a major source of this problem is the lack of oversight. Nearly half (45%) of illegal work is promoted via social media advertisements, making it easier for unqualified individuals to offer services without scrutiny.

Some 61% of respondents believe the most effective way to prevent this dangerous practice is to prohibit boiler sales to anyone who is not Gas Safe registered.

ATAG Heating Technology has long maintained a strict policy of only selling boilers to certified Gas Safe engineers and is now urging the wider industry to adopt the same approach, urging both tradespeople and the public to sign a letter to MPs, calling for legislation that would restrict boiler sales exclusively to Gas Safe registered operatives.

Kevin Treanor, director of ATAG Heating Technology UK, said: “Illegal gas work poses a serious threat to our profession, but more than that, it endangers the lives of UK residents.

“Every year, around 250,000 gas jobs are carried out by unqualified individuals, and we need to work to bring that number to zero. 

“According to the Gas Safe Register, two-thirds of work is unsafe, and our engineers routinely uncover dangerously installed systems that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or even explosions. Government data also shows that dozens of people lose their lives annually to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty appliances.

“The fact that over half of installers are never asked to show ID when attending a job shows just how vulnerable the current system is. We urgently need tougher safeguards to protect the public and uphold professional standards.”

ATAG is inviting fellow installers and concerned members of the public to write to their MP in support of new legislation that would restrict access to gas-critical products and reduce the volume of illegal installations. 

Email your MP via the ATAG website: https://www.atagheating.co.uk/help-us-stop-all-illegal-gas-work-in-the-uk/