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Re: Tis the season and all that.
Health & Safety Hits Christmas
The Rocking Song
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur, and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.
Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the wayA risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.
While Shepherds Watched
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone aroundThe union of Shepherd’s has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts. Toilets & hand washing facilities must also be available.
Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.Little Donkey
Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious loadThe RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled ‘little’ and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.
We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder starWhilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable – as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as ‘cash for gold’ etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipients name or perhaps give a gift voucher.
We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels hooves.Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions – including suspension on full pay – will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.
Re: Repaircare.com
Well it is certainly drawing the wrong press. As well as the link I popped in there is another running on Andy-Art-Trig’s site as well.
A lot of agents, self included have dropped the Repaircare work, I did after getting a customer demanding his money back & we didn’t even call. We told him on the phone parts were obsolete, and cancelled the call off the CDSL system, but it seems they kept £40 for MY trouble.
I gather they are re-drawing the T&C’s
Alex
Re: Van Found
gtheoldp wrote:found van, thanks guys
?? Did you park it in Sainsburys car-park and then couldn’t find it. Or was is nicked?
Alex
Lawrence wrote:
Penguin45 wrote:
Keep in mind Comet are the only company who service all appliances within guarantee. By all appliances I mean all manufactures and the full white good set, so a good Comet engineer is top of trade in my opinion.Bit of perspective, Helo – you’ve got at least two on your side.
Chris.3 Lawrence
Make it 4 now
I’m ex Electricity board & 30 years ago it was hard doing all makes, must be a lot worse now. The manufacturers do offer product training to Comet, but I doubt if they fall over themseslves. Of course they must offer something otherwise the brand will suffer.
As said earlier, what the hell has this to do with Comet’s finances?
Alex
Re: Repaircare.com
Martin wrote:Customer stumps up £104 to get her washer dryer fixed (t/dryer switches off after 5 mins). Repaircare agent calls and guesses it’s the module? Returns weeks later and fits the module. Customer calls Repaircare to say it’s just the same, it is still not working, Repaircare ask agent to sort it. Agent fails to show, several calls to Repaircare HQ…nothing is done…customer gives up…!
If I didn’t know you better I could be quite offended by the above posting. For my sins I along with many others who are part of UKW happens to be a Repaircare agent. I’m not counsel for defence as I do not carry out the Repaircare (chargeable) work for operational reasons.
One way or another there is a 3 month full guarantee on any repair on this scheme. There is a facility for the repairer to re-open a call as a “recall” on a completed job and continue the repair. Speaking for myself I have the reputation of my business to consider, and I would not allow such scenarios as you have highlighted to happen. In addition there are colleagues some of whom I personally know in your area, would not act so unprofessionally either.
Martin wrote:On another occasion a local Repaircare agent orders new circuit board, it didn’t cure the fault, he left the new board in place and stuffed the old board on top, put the lid back on and legged it!
I must assume this repairer is either new or sub-contracted to another repair agent? I cannot & am unable to answer upon their behalf, but what you are saying I suspect is the exception.
Martin wrote:Conclusion drawn from this is that around here at least Repaircare are contracting guys that without a Repaircare agency would find it hard to get work for themselves. And that they are prepared to attempt any type of work just to get the work, get the money. That in so doing haven’t a real clue as to what they’re doing, misdiagnose and stick parts in in the hope of success but when that fails to fix it they then fail to show.
Not all repaircare agents are undertaking this work due to bad press from OUTSIDE the trade.
Martin wrote:I wonder if Repaircare keep tabs on these guys anyway? Does it matter who they contract because to them as they get paid either way. Especially when a customer gets fobbed off time and time again they simply give up trying and stand the financial loss.
I’m sure many guys reading this are Repaircare agents and good ones too but horrified to learn that these examples manifest themselves throughout the Internet from disappointed customers.
I’m disappointed to find this as “manifested throughtout the internet” by someone from within, being a fellow repairer.
Martin wrote:So the problem must be just round here maybe?
Do you know, I think you may be right!
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
lee8 wrote:If that is the case then 0800 probably want all the contract work around the UK.
Yep, nothing wrong with that. :rolls:
Can’t see that happening.
I do not think there is room for another nationwide repair network, certainly not one that runs on such a franchise basis. N.E.S.N. are smaller than they were, Service Power are almost unheard of; others have evaporated such as Expert App Care, P.E.S.N. & A.I.S.
Most of us that carry out contract work are already established & I doubt if any of us would want to shell out vast sums in order to grab more work. Thinking further, time-honoured agents would already have the vans, image, tools, safety testing gear and support in any case, why spend money to duplicate things further for a small contract.
If J.T.M. is part of this as indicated on the web-site, then I suspect the agents they already use do work for other companies, and probably find J.T.M. are a very small part of their operation. Therefore these agents would not be prepared to squander hard earned cash on what looks to be a high “support fee”. I would suspect J.T.M. is aware of that as well and probably decided not to try and draw together the existing service providers into a Franchise agreement.
If it works then all fine & dandy for those that like the culture & lifestyle; but I don’t expect it to be the “Dynorod” of our industry.
Alex
Re: meggers
spanner51 wrote:I may be wrong BUT. An Earth Loop Impedence test has nothing to do with an appliance. You are only testing the integrity of the socket earth.
This may help explain it http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.3.1.htm
Earth loop impedance will read the earth path on the property system as you say, however the flying lead on the loop tester is then employed after the house frame test to confirm the appliance is suitably earthed.
Test 1: Taken from mains point back, maximum reading should not exceed 1.1 ohms. that is the integrity of the installation.
Test 2: Use the flying lead to an exposed metal part of the appliance frame, and test again. This time you will get the appliance reading plus the original as in test 1 and the appliance earth which needs to be to be below 0.1 ohms. Thus the sum should be no more than test 1 plus 0.1 ohms.
In summary; If Test 1 is 1.1 ohms, and test 2 is 1.19 ohms the installation and appliance have both passed. The appliance reading was 0.09 ohms in this case.
This should be applied before you carry out any work, and again after completion.
Also the insulation resistance test, using a 500v megger. A maximum reading of 2 megohms on the appliance is required. Some electronic machines now will pick up error codes on heaters even if they are as good as 5 megohms, yet they pass the legal criteria.
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
Like I said I’ve been doing this for a long time, and we have had all types of repair companies set up, some in this town and they open large shops, or blitz yellow pages and offer free call out and all that malarky. Quite simply they do not last, and we are still here and well established.
As with anything new, customers are attracted and very often our old customers as they have got to come from somewhere. Lets face it we as consumers are never loyal to any brand. How often do you stick to the same make car, television etc. People are fickle and buy what they want. However we meet them again when the customer gets a poor deal, or reverts to a brand of appliance we repair.
Back to the point in question. I don’t get it either when someone can “suss out” that 0800Alan may well be the officionardo of the operation; especially when there are known names regards affiliated companies and none of them I don’t think are an Alan? If there is a which-hunt here, I’m taking no part of it!
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
I’m a DASA member, have been on & off for years. There is a bit of truth in what Expertcat says, however in the bigger leagues with major work providers etc it is a body that is still respected.
Now then, can I ask please don’t send this thread off into a tangent regards the wherewithal of DASA etc. we could go on for days.
Back to this web site 0800 Repair. I gather they are utilising the acssociate membership of one of their affiliated companies, and yes they may be on a membership list, but that does not give the repair network automatic DASA criterion on the repair front.
I suspect either the link will evaporate, or membership will become part of the package subject to individual acceptance of the franchisees.
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
Like Andy, I’m not out to tear them to shreds, and to date I don’t think I’ve given that impression. They will have their customers, I will still have mine being the ones I value.
I have seen others in this business come & go, and I’m still here! Customers vote with their feet, if they don’t like it they tend to come back.
I’m not a fan of their web-site, and perhaps there is a secret agenda with this lot, and to be honest I don’t particularly care as I do not see them as a threat.
However I am concerned they may be promoting their trade association membership yet may not be FULLY fledged members. I don’t know the nature of the DASA full membership & associate membership system, but something tells me they have not got it right in the way they suggest they are members. Unless of course part of the package is they insist all repairers are DASA members and approved. That would be fun and maybe sort some wheat from the chaff.
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
andy_art_trigg wrote:Why would anyone in their right mind think they can make money repairing white goods? 😉
Especially when there is a 3rd party taking a cut.
I agree regards the Cheesy introduction on their web site, bit Chavvish I thought. Perhaps it appeals to the type of punter that is attracted to that type of servicing. All a matter of taste! I whacked the sound button on my keyboard.
Point is though, they have the image, and if there is a place for them they will fill it. If this lot didn’t come up with it, someone else would have done sooner or later, and it does look the Biz.
I think the DASA connection may be a bit tenuous as I guess they have utilised associate membership via a sister operation?
Alex
Re: meggers
Even if hard wired, there must be a double pole isolation switch within 2 metres of the appliance, and visible. If not cite H&S fill out a disclaimer or electrical safety sheet & walk away. No matter what & how, nothing is impossible, only difficult.
Earth loop test can be done from an adjacent socket preferrably on the same ring main, and a continuity of earth reading taken with the loop tester flying lead. Naturally, once the engineer gains access to the working of the appliance he needs to double check is safely isolated.
Alex
Re: 0800 Repair
andy_art_trigg wrote:0800-REPAIR say they are members of DASA
Do they indeed? Perhaps on the back of JTM who are associate members. Is there mention of a DASA connection on their website, if so I couldn’t find it?
Have to say though, very slick & professional presentation on their web-site.
Alex
Re: Zanussi TD 200
Superseded by 1250125208 Clamping rod, Don’t ask why the title. 36 in stock @ Distriparts.
However, I think this being the early dryer may have 2 pulleys one either side, if so the pulleys come c/w arms etc.
Alex
Re: meggers
In answer to the point raised where the instigator of this thread was looking for assistance on fault finding on a particular appliance, the title does say “Megger”.
leavemetogetonwithit wrote:That’s true. It was intended for DIYers. But if such a respected practitioner of our art can write a book suggesting such things to the public and has not yet, to my knowledge, after twenty years, been prosecuted for inciting people to injure or kill themselves then I don’t think I or anyone else on here has too much to worry about.Mike.
I have been in this business since 1972, and ex Electricity Board, yet never heard of Graham Dixon, so assume it is an early Haynes type manual?
leavemetogetonwithit wrote:As for worrying about courts, just how many from our trade have caused injury or death to their customers?Mike.
One would be too many. Not too long ago an employed engineer was killed whilst working on a Servis appliance. The case is still to be resolved regards laibility, and his past employers are likely to be considered as culpable if they cannot prove & demonstrate they gave full documented training
leavemetogetonwithit wrote: And how many have been taken to court for it? And how many are languishing in jail as we speak?
If you take your motor to the garage and pay them for an MOT test and next day a wheel falls off, are they liable for any damage caused?Mike.Unless they can show they took all necessary steps, and documented everything, there is a strong possibilty. We live in a litigation culture, and if someone can be proved negligent, there is a case waiting to happen, someone will lose a family member, and someone else will make money out of it. Moreover, the repair company will lose their business and possibly their home.
leavemetogetonwithit wrote:I’m all for doing whatever is practical to ensure I don’t hurt anyone. But there are limits. I take responsibility for anything arising due to my workmanship. But if an element I didn’t even touch decides to go low insulation next day and kills my customer, I’ll be damned if that’s my fault.
Mike.Can I sum this up by saying that last line “I’ll be Damned if that is my fault” could come back to haunt someone. If an element goes down next day, and you proved there was a sufficent earth path, there is nothing to worry about as all will happen is the trip or a fuse popping.
I’m sorry if I took the topic away from the original point, and if I’ve rattled some sabres, but I could not watch this and look as though UKW members appeared to be missing basic safety.
Perhaps some people should stop digging when they get up to the neck.
Alex
