A man has been sentenced and fined $9000 by the Danniverke District Court after performing electrical and plumbing work which risked the health and safety of the property and its occupants.
The negligent work included leaving exposed live wires that created a risk of electrocution of the occupants and also a potential house fire, along with non-compliant sanitary plumbing that could have led to leaks and unsafe wastewater disposal.
Dannevirke District Court Judge Jonathan Krebs sentenced Graeme Kyle on one charge of negligent work on an electrical installation in a manner dangerous to life, one charge of doing prescribed electrical work while unauthorised, and one charge of carrying out sanitary plumbing while unauthorised.
The prosecution was brought by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment who said Kyle left the property without completing the work after a dispute with the homeowner.
Shortly after, the house plunged into darkness. It was found that a sub-circuit overload caused burning to part of the switchboard.
Wires exposed 'could have been fatal'
Kyle also left two live exposed wires running through the upstairs lounge floor as well as live wires from a light circuit in the ground floor laundry ceiling.
The exposed live wires left protruding into rooms could have been fatal for the occupants, says Duncan Connor, registrar of Electrical Workers Registration Board.
“Carrying out electrical work while unlicensed is dangerous. In this case, Mr Kyle went further undertaking work on an electrical installation in a manner dangerous to life.
“Carrying out prescribed electrical work without the required expertise, training and qualification is highly dangerous for everyone involved.
“The aim of regulating electrical workers is to ensure that those performing prescribed electrical work are properly trained to avoid electrical hazards and to protect the safety of consumers."
Certifying plumber noticed problems
As part of the renovations, the homeowner engaged a certifying plumber to complete plumbing work, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
"Kyle re-routed the plumbing work both in the kitchen (where there was a dishwasher and sink), and for a bathroom vanity," said a MBIE spokesperson.
"When the certifying plumber returned to complete other work on the kitchen, he noticed his plumbing work had been modified in a manner that was not compliant. The certifying plumber then alerted the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board."
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board chief executive Aleyna Hall said only registered and licensed plumbers have the competency and skills to complete sanitary plumbing.
"Had the certifying plumber not found the compromised plumbing work, it’s possible the work done by Kyle could have leaked into the wall cavity. Over time, moisture in the wall could have caused damage to the structure of the home," said Hall.
"The faults with Mr Kyle’s work also meant that wastewater containing harmful bacteria and pathogens could have been leaking into the wall cavity and could have caused the building to become an insanitary building. This presents a high risk to the health and safety of the occupants."
Hall commended the certifying plumber who laid a complaint about the work.
"The certifying plumber did the right thing by contacting the board with their concerns.
"It is disappointing work was done that clearly should have been left for the certifying plumber and the board is pleased reparation was awarded for the victim."
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board encouraged the public to check the register of authorised and licensed practitioners before anyone started sanitary plumbing, gas fitting or drain laying work on their property.
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