Chimney Sweeps dispute with HETAS continues

HETAS was banned from exhibition after ‘conflict of interest’

The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps has sparked a public dispute with HETAS after a disagreement over policies.

HETAS found itself banned from a recent trade exhibition hosted by the Guild due to “an unacceptable conflict of interest”.

The Guild board said it had taken the difficult decision to remove HETAS Ltd from its trade show after members considered the actions and objections of HETAS during the Chimney Occupations National Occupational Standards (NOS) review to be “significantly out of step with the wider industry”.

The Guild said it viewed HETAS’ policies towards chimney sweeping were now at odds with the aims and ethos of the professional chimney sweeping industry.

A statement from the Guild said: “The NOS review has concluded, and ALL of the new standards are approved by the regulator and signed off by the four UK nations.

“In addition, the introduction of the HETAS ‘Direct Route’ to their ‘Approved Chimney Sweep’ scheme by-passes traditional association training for new registrants.

“The Guild believes this Direct Route scheme is introducing people who do not generally have the same knowledge and skill set as those coming through the association training route of the Guild and others, and no longer complements our efforts to raise standards.

“We would stress that the Guild has no issue whatsoever with any member or sweep or individual or businesses who choose to register themselves on any of the HETAS registers.

“In addition, the Guild also stresses there is no issue whatsoever with third parties who organise, host or deliver Hetas courses.

“We are unanimously supported in the decision by the members of the Federation of British Chimney Sweeps, representing over 80% of professionally registered chimney sweeps.”

Neither side offered further comment on the matter when approached by Fireplace Specialist but HETAS said it would be publishing its updated policy later this month (May).