South Wales-based engineer stars in first-of-its-kind calendar released to celebrate UK’s gas engineers

Barrie Couch a Gas Safe registered engineer, started his career 18 years ago after he suffered renal failure and later received a kidney transplant from my brother, who also is a gas engineer.

With over 16 years experience in the industry – he has been chosen from the UK’s 152,000 strong pool of gas engineers to star in the industry’s first-of-its-kind ‘Gas Safety Guardians’ national calendar.

Celebrating registered engineers from across the UK, the limited-edition calendar from Gas Safe Register, the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses, 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, the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses, reveals that 1 in 3 homes in Wales contain potentially dangerous gas appliances, such as gas boilers, cookers or fires.

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. 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. 

Separate brand-new national research commissioned reveals that Gas Safe registered engineers are the most trusted tradespeople, trumping plumbers, carpenters and hairdressers. And for over half (55%), a gas engineer was the best person to have on their contacts list.  

Further research conducted with over 170 Gas Safe registered engineers, highlights the trust between them and their customers. 

Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) of engineers reported customers confiding in them, often about money worries or mental health and well-being concerns.

A similar amount (87%) also revealed that – over the years – they have visited clients in their homes who haven’t had any visitors or spoken to a new person for a significant amount of time and have keen to have a chat.

Whilst nearly 8 in 10 (78%) of engineers say their role gives them the opportunity to make a positive impact on the wider community as well as their customers’ lives.  

Barrie Couch, 41, from Tonypandy, who starred in the ‘Gas Safety Guardians’ 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. What motivates me most about my role is being able to help those without hot water and heating brings me joy. This simple thing is taken for granted when you have it, and so it’s very satisfying when I have helped someone, especially vulnerable people. 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.   

“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.”  

A limited number of the ‘Gas Safety Guardians’ calendar are up for grabs, through a social media competition. 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. 50 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 facebook.com/GasSafeRegister for more information.