Unlicensed plumber - Rudolf Verschoor
Issue Date: - Friday, 16 May 2008
A Busselton floor and wall tiler has been fined for undertaking work that required a professional licensed plumber.
Rudolf Verschoor of Busselton carried out water supply plumbing work without a license or permit. Mr Verschoor was fined $500 with $569.20 costs in the Busselton Magistrates Court.
Plumbing work on a bathroom and toilet renovation breached the Prescribed Plumbing Standards and could have resulted in potential contamination of the potable water supply, said Tom Hall, Chairman of the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB).
Mr Hall said the potential contamination of drinking water in this case highlights the need to ensure that only licensed plumbers undertake such work.
"Elderly or young children could have been seriously ill after drinking contaminated water, and this only reinforces the need to ensure work is undertaken by qualified tradespersons that meet the relevant Standards,"he said.
In undertaking the renovations, Mr Verschoor sought the assistance of a licensed plumber to pressure test the water supply. The licensed plumber refused the request citing the presence of PVC pipe in the system and the danger of rupturing old pipe work.
"The licensed plumber should be congratulated for refusing to pressure test the water supply and thereby certifying work that he knew was done illegally. Such a response only enhances the professional standing of the industry and its members,"Mr Hall said.