A father and son have been sentenced following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into illegal and “at-risk” gas boiler installations that left local homeowners in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Case: Deception and Danger
The investigation revealed that Scott Lodge, 37, performed new boiler installations at two Northwich properties in April and December 2022.
Despite carrying out the work, Lodge was not and never has been registered with the Gas Safe Register.
In a further breach of safety protocols, his father, Brian Lodge, 67, used his status as a registered engineer to “sign off” and commission the work on his son’s behalf.
Crucially, the elder Lodge failed to visit the properties to inspect the installations or verify their safety.
Inspection Findings and Dangerous Hazards
The illegal activity became known after a homeowner filed a complaint.
A subsequent inspection by a qualified Gas Safe engineer found the boiler to be “At Risk” and dangerous.
Specific defects included a lack of support for the chimney and flue system, a critical failure that can lead to deadly carbon monoxide leaks.
Court Rulings and Sentences for Safety Breaches
At a hearing at Chester Magistrates’ Court on December 22, 2025, Scott Lodge, of Adlington Drive, Northwich, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
He was handed a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs plus £1,460 in compensation to a homeowner to cover the cost of the faulty work.
His father, Brian Lodge, of Merriman Avenue, Knutsford, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Received an identical sentence of a 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, and £2,500 in costs.
Health and Safety Executive Statement and Sentencing
Following the sentencing, HSE Inspector Ian Betley condemned the pair’s actions, labelling the incident a “deliberate breach” of safety laws.
“Scott Lodge undertook gas work he knew he was not registered to perform, a failure that could have had catastrophic and tragic consequences for the homeowners,” Betley stated.
Inspector Betley added that the deception was compounded by Brian Lodge, who “knowingly signed off the work as safe despite never examining or testing it.”
Concluding with a stern warning to the public: “Always ask to see an engineer’s identification and verify their registration number online. Registered engineers are there to ensure safety, not to help others circumvent the law by signing off on unregistered work.”
The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make you seriously ill if you breathe it in. Carbon monoxide can be made by fires and appliances that burn gas, wood, oil, or coal.
Illegal gas work is a primary cause of CO poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is impossible to detect without a dedicated alarm.
Symptoms to be aware of:
- Persistent headaches or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, or breathlessness
- Confusion, tiredness, and muscle pain
- Flushed skin (redness may be harder to see on brown or Black skin)
- Key Indicator: Symptoms that improve when you leave the house and worsen when you return.
If you suspect a leak: Stop using appliances immediately, open windows, go outside, and seek medical advice. Do not re-enter the building until it has been declared safe.
How to Protect Your Home
It is a legal requirement that a Gas Safe-registered engineer performs all gas work. To ensure your family’s safety:
- Ask for the Card: Always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card upon arrival.
- Verify the Number: Check the registration number online at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
- Check Qualifications: Ensure the engineer is qualified for the specific type of work (e.g., boilers, cookers, or fires) by checking the back of their ID card.
Frequently asked questions:
What is a respiratory disease?
Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory system, such as your lungs and respiratory tract. They can range from mild, transient symptoms to chronic, debilitating, and even life-threatening conditions, which are caused by exposure to irritants, hazardous substances or chemicals found in a workplace.
What are Respiratory Disease Symptoms?
The main problems to look out for are the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Breathing noisily
- Lingering Chest Pain
- Coughing up Blood
If you find yourself coughing up blood, this is a clear sign that something could be wrong. It could be coming from your lungs or respiratory tract. Whatever the cause, this is serious and should be investigated further.
What type of jobs put you most at risk?
There is no finite list of jobs that may expose you to chemicals that could cause respiratory diseases, but the following types of jobs are considered the riskiest:
- Construction: Workers who inhale dust in demolition zones can be at risk.
- Manufacturing: Many factory workers are exposed to dust, chemicals, and gases that could lead to respiratory diseases.
- Textiles: Textile workers who make upholstery, towels, socks, bed linens, and clothes are at risk of exposure. They may inhale particles released from cotton and other materials.
- Cleaning: Many commonly used disinfectants can cause or worsen respiratory disease.
Your Employer’s liability and how to claim?
Your Employer has a legal duty to reduce and prevent exposure to substances hazardous to health and ensure that anyone who already has a respiratory condition doesn’t get any worse.
Employers are under a duty of care to ensure their Employees are not put at any foreseeable risk as far as practicable.
At Oakwood Solicitors, our Industrial Disease solicitors have a wealth of experience in dealing with occupational respiratory disease claims.
If you are suffering from a respiratory disease, this may have been caused or made worse by your employer’s negligence regarding your safety, for which you may be able to receive compensation.
Further information:
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Oakwood Solicitors: Respiratory Disease Claims.
Father and son sentenced for carrying out illegal gas work.
Dad and son sentenced over illegal gas work in Northwich.
HSE Press Release: Father and son sentenced for carrying out illegal gas work.
Rogue gas fitter and his dad could have caused ‘catastrophic and tragic’ consequences.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have been impacted by respiratory diseases at work and want to pursue a legal claim, get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation.
Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Asimah Ali is currently a Supervising Solicitor in the Industrial Disease Department.
Asimah started working at Oakwood Solicitors in October 2016, shortly after completing the Legal Practice Cours…
Protect Yourself: A New HSE Guide to Safe Stone Worktop Installation & Dust Control
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) introduces new guidelines and develops regulations for stone worktop installers, educating employers and employees on stone dust protection and health monitor…
View
