Friday, 12 June 2015

$2700 fine denotes commitment to a stronger Christchurch rebuild

Christchurch man Scott Double is the second person in the Canterbury region to be convicted and fined for carrying out sanitary plumbing work without authorisation within the last two weeks.

Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand and it is illegal to do this work unless authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Mr Double was one of a number of people who have been uncovered working illegally in the Canterbury region during an authorisation audit of approximately 80 building construction sites.

The reason the provision of these services is restricted is because of the serious adverse effects that substandard sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying can have on public health and safety.

Sentenced on Monday in the Christchurch District Court, Justice Neave ordered Mr Double to pay a $2,700 fine, a $226 solicitor’s fee, and $130 in court costs.

The Board is currently following up on all remaining cases of unauthorised illegal operators identified during this Canterbury enforcement project.

The Board’s Chairman, Peter Jackson says; “We’re very conscious of the substantial number of tradespeople in Canterbury who have been working hard to get the region back on its feet, and recognise their frustration in the few who are undermining their efforts.”
“As the Christchurch rebuild progresses, Cantabrians can expect the Board’s licence audits to ramp-up. Those who cheat the system and put public health and safety at risk will be caught”, said Mr Jackson.

The Board advises all consumers to take every precaution when engaging with plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying service providers, and recommends asking to see an authorisation card before any work commences. This way they can be assured the work is being done lawfully and by a competent tradesperson.

“Don’t risk your family’s health and safety or your insurance by hiring unauthorised people. There are serious health and safety risks associated with plumbing carried out by an unauthorised person. Any defective work has the potential to cause disease and serious damage to the property”, said Mr Jackson.

If a homeowner believes that work has been done by someone who is not authorised, or has concerns about the competency of tradespeople, they can make a complaint to the Board.

Ends

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