G3 Professional Standards and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What obligation exists when discovering an unsafe gas installation in a customer's home?
- No obligation if not related to original call
- Must inform customer and report to TSSA regardless of the service call reason (Correct answer)
- Fix silently to avoid customer worry
- Mention only if customer asks
Correct answer: Must inform customer and report to TSSA regardless of the service call reason
Both ethical and legal obligation to inform customers and report to TSSA.
Failing to report is both unethical and a regulatory violation that can result in licence disciplinary action.
Question 2: Why is accurate documentation important for gas technicians?
- Only for invoicing
- Protects public safety, ensures code compliance, and provides legal protection (Correct answer)
- Documentation is optional
- Only needed for commercial jobs
Correct answer: Protects public safety, ensures code compliance, and provides legal protection
Honest records serve safety, compliance, and legal protection functions.
Falsifying or omitting information is unethical and potentially illegal.
Question 3: What should a technician do if their employer orders code-violating shortcuts?
- Follow employer instructions
- Refuse the work, document it, and report to TSSA if necessary (Correct answer)
- Complete but document employer ordered it
- Do it but tell customer to call TSSA
Correct answer: Refuse the work, document it, and report to TSSA if necessary
Technicians must refuse and cannot transfer liability to employers.
Technicians hold personal responsibility for their work. Employers pressuring violations are also subject to TSSA enforcement.
Question 4: How should a customer's request for code-violating work be handled?
- Do it since customer is paying
- Explain the code, refuse non-compliant work, offer compliant alternatives (Correct answer)
- Do it but don't sign off
- Refer to an unlicensed person
Correct answer: Explain the code, refuse non-compliant work, offer compliant alternatives
Explain code requirements, refuse non-compliant work, suggest alternatives.
If the customer insists on non-compliant work, the technician must walk away.
Question 5: Why is continuing professional development important?
- Only for promotion
- Ensures currency with code changes, new technology, and evolving safety practices (Correct answer)
- Optional after initial certification
- Only G1 technicians need it
Correct answer: Ensures currency with code changes, new technology, and evolving safety practices
The industry evolves with new equipment, updated codes, and changing safety practices.
Falling behind risks being unable to service newer equipment or creating unsafe conditions.
Question 6: What constitutes a conflict of interest for a gas technician?
- Does not apply to trades
- Recommending unnecessary work for profit or promoting brands for kickbacks (Correct answer)
- Only applies to TSSA employees
- No obligation to disclose
Correct answer: Recommending unnecessary work for profit or promoting brands for kickbacks
Recommending unnecessary work or receiving undisclosed referral fees are conflicts.
Transparency is required—disclose financial interests that could affect recommendations.
G3 Professional Standards and Ethics 2
What obligation exists when discovering an unsafe gas installation in a customer's home?