Man Handed Suspended Sentence After Illegal Boiler Replacement Risks Carbon Monoxide Leak

A Dorset man has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out dangerous, unregistered gas work that could have caused carbon monoxide poisoning. 

David McCallum, 58, trading as McCallum Plumbing & Heating, illegally relocated a gas boiler and flue at a Bournemouth home in February 2023. A registered engineer later found the installation to be “Immediately Dangerous,” with an unsealed flue that could have leaked carbon monoxide. 

HSE found Mr McCallum had no gas training and was not Gas Safe registered, despite having been the director of a registered business previously. 

He pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Mr McCallum received a 10-month suspended sentence, a six-month electronic monitoring order, and was ordered to pay more than £10,000 in costs and compensation.  

HSE inspector Simon Jones said: McCallum “knew he was not registered” and had “put lives at risk for financial gain.” 

Source: Registered Gas Engineer

Comment: "Assessing a Gas Safe Engineer is quick, and selecting the right one will save lives. The Gas Safe Register can be found at https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk."