Plumbing - Oftec clamps down on cowboy plumbers

25/04/2008
Plumbing professionals who illegally use the logo of the Oil Firing Technical Association (Oftec) face tough action from the organisation.
Jeremy Hawksley, Oftec's chief executive, issued the warning in the wake of gas fitter David Mees' conviction for nine Health and Safety Executive offences.

Authorities in Wales discovered that Mr Mees had been using the Oftec logo on his website and paperwork, leading officials to conclude that faults in the standard of his work could have ended in fire or an explosion.

"We must protect the public from the cowboys, and also protect the image of properly trained and Oftec-registered technicians," explained Mr Hawksley.

He went on to point out that his association operates a competent persons scheme, with a list of members on its website intended to foster competency in the heating and plumbing arena.

Earlier this year, the Oftec boss added new categories to the organisation's awards for "oil fired excellence" as part of the drive to improve standards in the UK's heating industry.

Green initiatives and the environmental friendliness of plumbing and heating products are among the latest considerations, introduced in light of the growing trend towards renewable technologies such as liquid biofuels.