Guardians of Gas Safety
First-of-its-kind calendar released to celebrate the UK’s gas engineers who work tirelessly to keep the nation safe
- Gas Safe Register releases limited-edition calendar to recognise the essential role that registered engineers play in keeping householders safe in their homes nationwide
- The limited-edition calendar features a range of Gas Safe registered engineers exemplifying diversity in the industry
With over 152,000 Gas Safe registered engineers from all corners of the UK, they are today being recognised for the essential role that they play in keeping householders safe in their homes.
Gas Safe Register, the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses, has released the industry’s first-of-its-kind ‘Gas Safety Guardians’ calendar. Celebrating registered engineers from across the UK, the limited-edition calendar also features gas safety tips each month to help inform and educate householders on how to stay gas safe all year-round.
The calendar’s release, launched as Gas Safety Week gets underway (11 to 17 September 2023), comes as analysis of the latest gas safety inspection figures carried out by Gas Safe Register reveals that one in every five UK homes contain potentially dangerous gas appliances, such as gas boilers, cookers or fires1.
The ten engineers selected for the calendar, whose job it is to keep the nation’s homes warm and safe from these dangerous gas appliances, channelled their inner superhero in the imagery.
Chosen from the UK’s 152,000 strong pool of gas engineers, the ‘Guardians’ stood with pride and intention - showing off their own tools and equipment which, like with any true superhero, help them do their job to the best of their ability.
Coinciding with the release of the calendar, brand-new research2 commissioned reveals that Gas Safe registered engineers are the most trusted tradespeople, trumping plumbers, carpenters and hairdressers (Q10). And for over half (55%), a gas engineer was the best person to have on their contacts list (Q1).
The research with more than 2,000 UK homeowners re-iterated the importance of having trust in the tradesperson hired – three-quarters (74%) would only ever have faith in a friend, family member or someone who was recommended to them.
8 in 10 (82%) have a greater peace of mind if they know their engineer is Gas Safe registered and 62% claim being properly qualified is the most important factor for them when recruiting a tradesperson. 79% of those who have hired a non-qualified or unregistered tradesperson now regret not checking – highlighting the importance of ‘Trusting the Triangle’ and ensuring an engineer is Gas Safe registered before having appliances safety checked or other gas work carried out.
Lily Clarke, Plumbing and Gas Assessor, 34 from London who starred in the ‘Guardians of Gas Safety’ calendar, says:
“Gas Safe registered engineers like me love what we do, and I’m so proud to make an important contribution to the community. By attending schools and events in London I hope to help more young female apprentices into the trade – breaking down stereotypes and showing there is no one size fits all - all whilst keeping our communities safe.
“As I always say to my customers, by taking care of your gas appliances and being clued-up on what the signs and symptoms are that something could be faulty or potentially dangerous with any of them means you are taking care of your home and your loved ones.”
Rob Denman, Head of Professional and Field Services at Gas Safe Register, says:
“Diversity is this year’s overall theme for Gas Safety Week, and our first-of-its-kind calendar sets out to highlight the diversity of the 152,000 strong Gas Safe registered engineers’ community across the UK. From the breadth of their personal and professional experience, to what they have worked on, the qualifications and training they have undertaken, and the size and type of properties they work on.
“Gas Safe registered engineers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, and the role they play in our communities – and so the calendar gives us an opportunity to champion and hero Gas Safe registered engineers, who work tenaciously to ensure the nation is gas safe.
“As we mark another Gas Safety Week, we are using the opportunity to remind homeowners that prevention is better than cure when it comes to gas safety and keeping you covered for the unexpected.
“With energy bills set to rise again in the coming colder months, many will be feeling the financial squeeze. However, ensuring your boiler is regularly serviced not only keeps it working efficiently, helping reduce bills and a potential winter breakdown, but can also reduce the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning – keeping you and your loved ones safe.”
In support of Gas Safety Week, Gas Safe Register will be running a Facebook competition throughout the week, for a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher, carbon monoxide (CO) alarm and a copy of the ‘Gas Safety Guardians’ calendar. Fifty runner ups will also receive a calendar and CO alarm. The calendar has been created in a limited edition run and will not be available to buy. Visit https://www.facebook.com/GasSafeRegister for more information.
Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses which are registered to work safely and legally on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances. By law, anyone working with gas must be listed on the Register. Visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk for more information.
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Notes to editors
1Findings based on 19,498 UK homes inspected between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. One in five were found to have unsafe appliances, such as cookers, boilers, and fires.
2 Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the Gas Safe Register. OnePoll surveyed 2,000 UK householders (aged 18+) with gas appliances in their homes between 23rd and 28th June 2023.
About Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses who are registered to work safely and legally on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register. To find a Gas Safe registered engineer visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.