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Legislation is killing us!

Posted by Dave Hill on January 16, 2008, 9:58 pm

GRRRRRR

Legislation is killing us!

I had a firm in to do our PATS testing (electrical equipment safety checks). What a load of bollocks. They have condemned every extension lead in the building. Many bits of equipment have had a "condemned" sticker placed upon them.

I suppose this is the equivalent of an MOT test for us guys, but it’s very annoying when you have a perfectly good extension lead that is condemned purely because the thickness of the lead is not 12.5 mm. Even if the amperage rating of the extension lead is clearly marked & it is “fit for purpose” it still fails the test. Common sense is not a consideration!

I argued with the guy doing the test that it would be fine if it was used within it’s limits & his reply was “I don’t make the rules”. I have to admit that I have used that line often when explaining MOT results.

Is it just me? I feel that I am being dragged, kicking & screaming into a future that worries me greatly. The country is losing many many quality people who are emigrating to Oz or New Zealand, because they have become disillusioned with the way Britain is heading.

Why the government doesn’t react to the migration of manufacturing industry to cheap overseas alternatives leaves me baffled! We are being screwed by our own compensation driven culture.

Long live Common sense! (ooops too late)

Sorry for the moan fellas.

Dave (Hill)

P.S.
This post was prompted after reading about the issues that Test Tools (https://www.testtools.co.uk/) have had with an EEC directive…. “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive” That stipulates that the sellers of electrical equipment should bare some of the financial responsibility of the “end of life” disposal costs. Easier for the big retail outlets I am sure.

Now that is not a bad idea in principle. The trouble is that the world is not a level playing field & Britain is losing out (BIG STYLE) to the likes of China, Pakistan & India, who have little regard for the moral side of life (when it comes to the economy at least).

Re: Legislation is killing us!

Posted by lee mackintosh on January 16, 2008, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Legislation is killing us!"
Lee Mackintosh

we/ve had these people in before and to be honest they are unbelievable with no sense.

When they were testing our stuff they even went in open storage compartments testing anything that had a plug on it even though we told them that they didn't work it made no difference as he wasn't to know that.

I think it was about £1 a plug and they put a pass or fail sticker on it. Also they made us buy circuit breakers for all our extension leads etc but i suppose thats what happens when you have employees.

Re: Legislation is killing us!

Posted by Dave Hill on January 16, 2008, 11:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Legislation is killing us!"

The conclusion is.....

Either work solely for yourself, or jack it in & go work for a dealer.

Everywhere I look I see a potential area for concern (if you look hard enough). If you follow things through to their conclusion, you wouldn't allow customers beyond the perimeter fence & staff would be dressed in fireproof, waterproof clothing. No oxy acetylene gear or any dangerous chemicals on site.

This is before you consider how you are going to tackle the days tasks, with diagnostic kit that doesn’t live up to its promises.

That’s another story!

Cheers (NOT)

Dave (Hill)

Re: Legislation is killing us!

Posted by Tony Sefton on January 17, 2008, 8:28 am, in reply to "Re: Legislation is killing us!"
Tony Sefton

We have had the Pats testing done twice now, No mention of Extension cable sizes, A few have failed the test and been condemned, ( and I binned them straight away ) Last year One extension cable did get condemed as it had a bit of tape wrapped around it in one place as it had a small cut in the outer insulation, The cable was almost new and I forgot to Bin it. Funnily enough the same Extension Lead got a Pass sticker on it this year as the guy checking it didn't see the tape as it was wrapped up, Proving that he either didn't do the job properly or the rules for checking aren't good enough.

I had a Firm out checking the Ramps and when the guy got here. he said he had no training on ramps as he was an Ex Mechanic but ANYONE with a Mechanical background could check the Ramps and sign for them. ( making us feel that we got a really good safety check and value for money )

I would have thought to do a Proper check, They ought to have the Manuals for each type of Ramp and a check list. ??

As with anything else it will vary from one place to another depending on who checks them and how strict they are.

Re: Legislation is killing us!

Posted by chris angus on January 17, 2008, 9:30 am, in reply to "Legislation is killing us!"

We had one done a few years ago as we needed an electrical instalation certificate for tour insurance (cost us a small fortune to bring it up to date).
Anyway as far as I'm aware and after speaking to a few contacts within the company that did the certificate, the PAT is only a recomendation and not legally required. We have not done it since.

Chris

Re: Legislation is killing us!

Posted by Nigel Yardley on January 18, 2008, 11:50 am, in reply to "Legislation is killing us!"
Nigel Yardley

I was so astounded by what it costs to get PAT testing done, that I went on a city in guilds course and became an approved PAT tester.

Two day course, no previous experience needed, you could even use the book during the exam... the whole thing was pretty much a joke... but now I'm fully certified, bought a machine off ebay...

Our instructor told us to either throw all the extension leads away, or hide them as none would ever pass

I suppose when I've had enough fixing cars I can always go round charging people a fortune to put stickers on all their plugs

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