Latest News / Auckland drainlayer struck off register and ordered to pay $20,000 in costs
An Auckland drainlayer has been struck off the register of drainlayers.
The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) has found Vijendra Kumar Sharma obtained limited certificates for three men in return for cash payments totalling $5,300.
In doing so, the Board found that Mr Sharma forged the signature of certifying plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer Mr Scott Gibbons on the limited certificates without Mr Gibbons’ knowledge.
Mr Sharma then filed the limited certificate applications with the PGDB, knowing the three men were not entitled to work as plumbers or drainlayers as they would be unsupervised.
The Board also found that Mr Sharma fraudulently obtained a limited certificate to carry out gasfitting under the supervision of Mr Gibbons without his knowledge or consent.
At the time of the offending, Mr Sharma was drainage inspector for the former North Shore City Council, but was transferred to Watercare Services when the new Auckland Council was established.
The Board found that Mr Sharma used his position as an employee for the Council to access Council records and obtain the signature of Mr Gibbons, an approved certifier with the
Council. Mr Sharma then copied this signature onto the limited certificate applications without Mr Gibbons’ knowledge.
Mr Sharma led the three men to believe he had the power to obtain limited certificates for them and to arrange supervision under Mr Gibbons. Mr Sharma met the three men in the course of carrying out inspections for the Council.
An investigation was launched following a complaint by Mr Gibbons to the Board in September 2009 after he discovered an application for a limited certificate by one of the men had been made, nominating Mr Gibbons as the registered certifier without his knowledge.
The former non-apprentice limited certificate meant holders had to work under the supervision and in the presence of a registered person at all times.
In its judgment released today, the Board said: “Mr Sharma is a registered person who is aware of the requirement of the licensing and registration regime, which is in place for the purposes of protecting the health and safety of the public.
“Through Mr Sharma’s actions, public health and safety was potentially compromised. The Board is very disappointed by the nature of Mr Sharma’s offending.
“Mr Sharma, having arranged the issuing of the limited certificates for others, then decided to himself uplift a limited certificate in plumbing and gasfitting when he was operating under no form of supervision with no checks in place to ensure the work was compliant or safe.
“This exposed the consumer and himself to what could potentially have been very serious health and safety risks.
“The Board finds the falsification of the limited certificate applications made on behalf of himself and others to be reprehensible.
“Mr Sharma was in a position of trust which required a high standard of integrity from him in carrying out his duties as a drainage inspector for the North Shore City Council.
“Mr Sharma used his position for personal gain, receiving cash payments from Messrs Liang, Ye, and Chan with resulting liability for Mr Gibbons with regard to his reputation. The Board finds this to be a serious breach of the ethical behaviour expected of a registered person, particularly one in a position of power and authority as Mr Sharma was.”
As well as being struck off the drainlayers’ register, Mr Sharma was ordered to pay $20,000 in costs.
