An individual was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation for unlicensed gas work
On 18 March 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for carrying out unlicensed gas work and failing to comply with safety requirements by leaving an open-ended pipe uncapped. The defendant was also ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to the injured worker.
The incident occurred on 10 September 2019, when the worker commenced his shift at a local restaurant and had trouble igniting a deep fryer gas appliance. The worker unwittingly turned on the individual gas isolation valve for the unsealed pipe which had been left open by the defendant after disconnection of another gas appliance. This resulted in gas flowing into the kitchen from the unsealed pipe, causing an explosion. The worker received burns to 17% of his body, including to his face and arms. He was admitted to hospital.
Investigations by the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate revealed that the defendant was not a holder of a gas work licence authorising him to carry out the gas work. Had the gas work been performed by a gas work license holder, the unsealed pipe would have been capped in accordance with the safety requirements and the gas leak would not have occurred. A conviction was not recorded in this case.
Last updated: 23 Jan 2021
