Health and Safety: Gas, Electricity and Water.

  • Not all handyman or workmen have qualifications, nor do they need to. Sometimes they are naturally talented craftspersons with no formal training. They should be happy to tell you this.


  • For your own safety, certain professionals must be correctly certified to do any work in your premises. Faulty workmanship with gas, electricity and water could have serious to fatal consequences.


  • Satisfy yourself that anyone who works with utilities such as gas, electricity and water in your home is qualified and adequately insured. You are entitled to see the workman's certification, and ask what reputable trade or standards organisation he currently belongs to.


    • Gas

  • CORGI or (Council of Registered Gas Installers) is recognised as the UK's gas safety watchdog. Use only a CORGI registered engineer at home or work. The CORGI website enables you to check who is a current registered CORGI member and verify their membership number: www.corgi-gas-safety.com.


    • Electricity

  • For electricity ask your local authority what qualifications are required for an electrician to work in your home. The following organisations are authorised to run competent persons self-certification schemes for registered electrical installers who can do all types of electrical installation work in dwellings. www.elecsa.org.uk, www.niceic.com, www.napit.org.uk.


    • Water

  • Bad plumbing may not kill you on it's own but could scald you or damage your home and effect your neighbours premises. The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers is the the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. It's web site deals with subjects from how to find a plumber to how to deal with lead in your pipes. It also has a frequently asked questions section, (FAQ), for consumers. It also has a 'praise page', for feedback from customers. www.iphe.org.uk