Round up of disciplinary decisions

Earlier this year, the Board issued decisions on three cases involving registered practitioners carrying out unauthorised work, either by working in their trade without a current licence or by working in a trade they were not authorised to work in.

Case 1

A Journeyman Plumber pleaded guilty to carrying out drainlaying work while unauthorised. The complaint related to the installation of a new septic tank system and associated drainage at a residential property. The Board considered the conduct in this case was low to moderately serious.

The Board recognised that the practitioner was an experienced plumber and had previous experience as a drainlayer so any risk from him carrying out this work was not the same as if he did not have any relevant experience at all. The Board recognised his early guilty plea, cooperation with the proceedings and his lack of previous disciplinary history.

A fine of $1,600 costs of $3,400 was awarded.

Case 2

A Certifying Plumber was charged with carrying out drainlaying work while unauthorised. The work involved the replacement of a section of drain at a residential property in Palmerston North. The practitioner pleaded guilty to the charge. Again the practitioners cooperation, guilty plea and lack of any previous disciplinary history were all taken into account.

The practitioner was fined $1,875 and ordered to pay $2,200 towards costs.

Case 3

A Tradesman Drainlayer was charged with carrying out drainlaying work at two properties in the Coromandel when he did not hold a current practising licence. He was also charged with improper conduct for issuing a producer statement for one of the properties.

The practitioner’s tradesman drainlayer registration was suspended until he successfully completed a course of training on his compliance obligations. He was also ordered to pay $7,033 towards costs.