Stirling MP Alyn Smith has welcomed the decision from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to relax the rules on gas engineers renewing their licences during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

Mr Smith raised the issue with HSE Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, after having been contacted by constituents, who are emergency gas engineers, raising concerns that the lockdown meant that they were unable to access some assessment centres.

In their response, HSE confirmed that whilst they were not suspending the requirement for licences to be renewed, they would grant an extension period to existing licenses where the licence holder had made reasonable steps to update their ACS certification, such as when an ACS centre within their local area opens for business.

Commenting, Alyn Smith MP said:

“I welcome the move from HSE to keep important gas engineers active during this crisis, ensuring that safety is the priority.

“Across the board, authorities have had to make changes to the way they do things; the DVSA’s suspension of the requirement for drivers to complete and MOT check being another notable example of this. Whilst an MOT check or a gas safety licence renewal is important, right now we just need to keep people going whilst keeping them safe from having to attend test centres.

“We don’t know right now how long it’ll be before we return to our new normal after this crisis. Government departments and authorities must continue to consider innovative ways in which they make sure they are providing that key service, whilst keeping the public safe.”

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