60.This section makes it an offence under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 to assault, obstruct or hinder a person acting in the capacity of an employee of a relevant authority or someone providing assistance to them in carrying out functions under sections 9 to 13 (fire fighting, road traffic accidents, other emergencies, emergency directions and other eventualities) or exercising powers under sections 25 (powers of authorised employees in relation to emergencies), 27 (powers to obtain information) and 29 (powers in relation to investigating fires). The penalty for such an offence under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 is, on summary conviction, imprisonment for a period not exceeding 9 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or both.
61.Section 39 makes it an offence to assault, obstruct or hinder an employee of a relevant authority whilst carrying out their duties under sections 8 (fire safety), 17 (duty to secure water supply) or 61 (enforcing authorities). It also covers persons providing assistance to the relevant authority by virtue of arrangements made for assistance under section 35 and those undertaking a function of the authority by virtue of arrangements made under section 36. The offence is punishable on summary conviction with a period of imprisonment not exceeding 9 months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.