Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the training of gas engineers.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require that anyone employed to work on domestic gas systems is competent. An individual is deemed competent following successful completion of an industry-recognised training course and an assessment of their skills.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) working with the gas industry’s Standards Setting Body has supported the implementation of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) standard IGEM/IG/1 Standards of training in gas work (attached). IGEM/IG/1 sets out the requirements for training in gas work, and will ensure that only those engineers who have completed an approved industry recognised training course will have access to the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) assessment of competence. Passing such assessment, or an Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) regulated National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), enables an engineer to be considered as competent and apply for Gas Safe registration.

HSE assesses standards of gas safety through published figures on gas-related incidents in Great Britain (attached). These are reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR). This and further information can also be found in the Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness’ annual report for 2016/2017 (attached). The Group ensures a joined-up approach across departments, the devolved administrations and other governmental bodies to improve gas safety and tackle CO risks from all fuels.