Conviction of Auckland handyman serves as timely reminder

Media release
17 November, 2014

Conviction of Auckland handyman serves as timely reminder to consumers

The recent prosecution of a home handyman who illegally installed a gas fire place and conducted poor electrical work at a home in Auckland, serves as a timely reminder to consumers to stay safe and always use a licensed tradesperson.

Anyone involved in plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying or electrical work is required to carry an authorisation card—and consumers should ask for it.

In this prosecution brought by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB), and the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), Michael Lam was fined $4000 for illegal gasfitting and $2000 for illegal electrical work. He was also ordered to pay court costs and a solicitor’s costs for both cases. The total fine was $6599.

Occupants of the property placed a complaint with the PGDB when they became ill and developed symptoms consistent with being exposed to the products of gas
combustion—a sore throat, chesty cough and sore eyes.

Prolonged low level exposure to carbon monoxide can cause illness, loss of normal cognitive function and drowsiness. At high levels of exposure, it can be fatal. Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer, because it is both odourless and colourless.

The evident risks of the defective gasfitting work at the property, combined with faults found with the electrical work carried out by Mr Lam, presented a high risk of explosion.

Max Pedersen, Chief Executive of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board said, “This is an extremely serious offence and there was a clear risk of this dangerous work causing injury and even loss of life, and damage to the property. Unauthorised people doing gasfitting or electrical work places consumers at risk. I hope this sentence will serve as a deterrent to others.“

He added, “Anyone involved in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying is required to carry an authorisation card—and consumers should ask for it. This provides an assurance the work is carried out legally by a competent tradesperson, who is authorised by the Board.“

Mr Lam was convicted on 14 November in the Waitakere District Court. He does not hold and has never held an authorisation to do, or assist in doing gasfitting.

Meanwhile, a Christchurch man who was caught working illegally during a licence sweep by the PGDB has been convicted and fined $1000. He was also ordered to pay solicitor’s costs of $113 and court costs of $130. The subject did not have authorisation from the Board when he carried out sanitary plumbing work on the building site he was working on in February 2014.

Max Pedersen, Chief Executive of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board said, “The role of the PGDB is to help keep consumers safe and ensure that the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying components within the construction industry are being carried out to a high standard by competent tradespeople. These latest prosecutions show that the PGDB is working hard to deliver on its promise to the New Zealand public.”

If a member of the public 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. You can check to see if a tradesperson is authorised at the Board’s websitewww.pgdb.co.nz.

Ends

© Scoop Media