Safe Energy Ireland continue to use the Disciplinary Process function of the Gas Safety Supervisory Body where necessary to address issues found with RGIs in the scheme. This is generally used where serious safety issues or breaches of the Rules of Registration or Criteria Document have been found.
The GSSB completed Disciplinary Hearings during 2022 and several sanctions have been applied to various situations;
Many RGIs have been issued oral and written warnings for installations certified by them that do not meet current standards; RGIs also, in many instances, have been given higher inspection monitoring sanctions at their cost.
- An RGI Company engaged in supplying certification for gas works which was completed by an unregistered individual was suspended from the register for 6 weeks and the company had several further inspections at their cost applied to them for this breach of the Rules of Registration and Operational Procedure no. 1.
- An RGI who supplied certification for illegal work on behalf of an apprentice who was not registered as an RGI Trainee (illegal gas works) was suspended for one month and the company had several further inspections at their cost applied to them for this breach of the Rules of Registration and Operational Procedure no. 1.
- An RGI found to be certifying illegal gas work was suspended for one month and was subject to further inspection at their cost for this breach of the Rules of Registration and Operational Procedure no. 1
- Following an investigation into a significant number of sub-standard installations, with a number of dangerous occurrences identified, an RGIs membership was revoked for 6 months following a disciplinary hearing.
It is important to emphasise that, an RGI may be liable to disciplinary action(s) in accordance with Section D of the Criteria Document in any of the following circumstances;
(i) Furnishing incorrect, misleading or fraudulent information or documentation in an Application for Registration to the Body or at any subsequent renewal application.
(ii) Any material breach of the Rules of Registration or any material breach of this Criteria Document, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) any failure to carry out work in compliance with the requirements of the Criteria Document and specifically the industry standards set out therein
(b) any failure to respond adequately to or at all to correspondence or other communications from Safe Energy Ireland, the Commission, an Inspector, a Complaints Officer or from any Disciplinary Body, or failure to cooperate fully with any inquiry or investigation being conducted by or on behalf of Safe Energy Ireland
(c) providing a Completion Certificate in respect of Gas Work that has not been completed by the RGI (except in circumstances so permitted by the Body)
(d) failure to meet the Inspection Performance Criteria (as approved by the Commission and as per the arrangements pursuant to Section B 3.4); and
(e) failure to provide work for inspection in line with the requirements of the Criteria Document and RGII’s Audit and Inspection Procedure.
The standard of proof applicable shall be proof “on the balance of probability”. If the Disciplinary Committee makes a finding that the
Complaint has been proved or upheld in whole or in part, it may make any one or more of the following Orders as it considers appropriate:
(i) That the RGI be reprimanded by way of an oral warning;
(ii) That the RGI be reprimanded by way of a written warning;
(iii) That the RGI be required to give a written undertaking to the Body on the terms set out by the Disciplinary Committee;
(iv) Requirement that the RGI undergo a formal competency assessment or attend specified courses;
(v) Requirement that the RGI be subject to a higher frequency of inspection and/or fees and charges;
(vi) Suspension of the RGI’s registration for a defined period and the terms upon which the suspension shall be lifted; and/or,
(vii) Revocation of the RGI’s Registration with the Body.