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Had a phone call from a customer who tried to get us on the 2nd of August but we were on holiday so she called someone else who went out stripped her Whirlpool machine spent an hour and a half at it and then said he would have to come back.
She phoned yesterday to say he hadn`t been back and was not answering her calls and could I go out and see if I could fix her machine for her. I don`t normally go to calls that other people have started but since she was a regular customer and we were on holiday for 2 weeks when she initially called I said I would have a look.
I entered her kitchen to find the machine in place but with the front panel removed. On closer inspection the pump plug was disconnected, the brushes were unscrewed but still electrically connected, the door interlock was removed as was the front counterweight and sump hose. As I leant into the machine the voltage tester I keep in my top pocket started beeping and lit up. The machine was plugged in!!!
My first thought was I can`t believe he left it in this condition with power on and then I thought it`s plugged in under the sink on the same double socket as the dishwasher and I`ll bet the customer has inadvertently switched it on.
This lead me to think about how I leave machines when I have to come back later. Knowing what a pain it is to rebuild a machine knowing that you have to strip it again I normally put the panels on loosely then cable tie the mains lead across the plug pins so as it cannot be plugged and put a notice on the appliance.
Is this sufficient or should I be completely rebuilding machines everytime. If the customer removed the notice, cut the cabletie and plugged it in then got a shock would I be liable or would I have taken reasonable measures to prevent this?
What do others do in this situation?
Re: leaving appliances safe?
bazza500 wrote:What do others do in this situation?
Just take the 13amp fuse out of the plug is the safest/easiest situation to walk away from to come back to later. That at least guarantees you have done your best to leave the machine in a ‘safe condition’ at least 😉
Re: leaving appliances safe?
Take the fuse out!! Trouble is someone may put it back again.
Disconnect the outgoing side of the mains terminal block in the back of the machine. Take a piccie 1st on your phone so you remember what went were, when or if you call back.
Alex
Re: leaving appliances safe?
To an extent you have to do what the customer says as it is their appliance in their home. I think some of them are worried they will be charged extra for you re-assembling the machine and stripping it again so insist you leave it in bits. In extreme cases this has meant leaving a machine for a week, pulled out and with a pile of bits on the kitchen worktops. I suppose if I ever do get problems re. safety etc. in such cases I will have to start getting customers to sign a note to say that’s how they want things left.
Re: leaving appliances safe?
bazza500 wrote:If the customer removed the notice, cut the cabletie and plugged it in then got a shock would I be liable or would I have taken reasonable measures to prevent this?
If the customer has to go through all this then I think it could be said that you had taken reasonable precautions to ensure their safety. The key phrase you’re looking for here is ‘Due Dilligence’ 🙂
As Phidom says it’s their appliance and it’s ultimately up to them what to do with it. If they want to bypass your safety precautions then there’s little that you can do about it: you have no legal right to stop them using their electrical appliance how they see fit.
Taking a photo is a good idea. As long as you can prove that you clearly disabled the appliance then you should be able to sleep soundly at night.
Craig
Re: leaving appliances safe?
If you have to leave a machine unrepaired then you can’t do much more than what has been suggested to make it safe.
When the repair is completed you are also under an obligation to leave it electrically safe to use, I suggest you click on the link and check on the safety test recommendations.
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.p … pic&t=8087George
AFAIK there is no specific legislation in relation to this but it’s simple safe practise stuff really. I always disconnect and advise the customer, if the customer is made aware that spares etc. are required then they use it at their own risk, which I also advise if a temporary repair is affected.
In the end it’s as much as you can do as, after all, it is the property of the customer, it’s up to them to make an informed decision just as they would driving out a garage with bald tyres.
K.
Re: leaving appliances safe?
On another note if a moulded mains plug is cut off twist the earth pin 90 degrees so a kiddie cannot plug it in.
S.
I always wrap insulation tape around the plug so it cannot be plugged in.
I did a job not long ago where I had the front plate off a washing machine and the lady asked me would I like a cup of tea, she then plugged the washing machine in instead of the kettle and nearly killed me, there was no rcd and if the thing had not of gone off with a bang, then I would not have known what she had just done and could possibly have been killed.
So now I always ensure that I drop the plug behind the appliance when I am working on it and if that is not possible, then I take out the fuse.
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