Families, homeowners and businesses are being urged to check the credentials of anyone carrying out gas work after new figures revealed a significant rise in prosecutions for illegal gas fitting activities. According to the Gas Safety Week 2026 campaign, 17 people have been convicted of carrying out gas work illegally since the beginning of 2025, compared with just three convictions in 2022/23 and four in 2023/24. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warns that unregistered gas work can have devastating consequences, including gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Over the past five years, the regulator has prosecuted dozens of individuals for working on gas appliances without being registered with the Gas Safe Register. [press.hse.gov.uk], [registered…neer.co.uk]
Steve Critchlow, Principal Inspector of Gas Safety at the HSE, said the increase in convictions should serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by rogue traders. As households begin preparing their heating systems for winter, he stressed the importance of ensuring engineers are properly qualified and registered before allowing them to undertake any gas work. [press.hse.gov.uk], [registered…neer.co.uk]
The message is simple: always check an engineer’s credentials. Homeowners can verify registration within seconds via the Gas Safe Register, ask to see the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card, or contact the register directly. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
With energy costs continuing to put pressure on household budgets, it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, but when it comes to gas safety, cutting corners can be a potentially fatal mistake. The recent rise in prosecutions highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and reinforces the importance of using only competent, registered professionals for gas work in homes and businesses. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hse-network.com]
Safety Reminder: Before any gas work is carried out, always check the engineer is Gas Safe registered. If they are not on the register, do not let them undertake the work. [press.hse.gov.uk], [registered…neer.co.uk]
