Reply to: PAT testing?!

[Clive the 1]

Pat test

The only thing is some of my "phone chargers" aren't phone chargers - they are chargers for any equipment which uses a usb cable.

I can plug my phone into a computer to charge it but that would take for ever and that goes against most clients' policies of connecting storage devices to their computers.

True. Not every one in our place has access to a PC.
The company I am working at has a very strict and rigid H & S policy. Even a Director was sacked last year over an H & S issue. I had an induction that lasted 6 hours on the first day before I could even look at the job.
As far as pat testing goes. I have a tester. Because I do other things than my day work and it involves a whole host of amps, cables, mixers, and outboard equipment I found that it was going to cost a fortune to have it all tested by an outside company. So I bought the tester.
And yes, it's a boring job portable appliance testing. My own list runs to about 165 items.

[SueEllen]

Even 'phone chargers have to tested.

The only thing is some of my "phone chargers" aren't phone chargers - they are chargers for any equipment which uses a usb cable.

I can plug my phone into a computer to charge it but that would take for ever and that goes against most clients' policies of connecting storage devices to their computers.

[Boo]

northenladuk, I think you burning out mate, that is what happens when you constantly listen to stupid people moaning over and over. It seems your comments are very sarcastic, maybe you need to retire from the site as you may not be helping as much as you actually think you are.

Good point, well made.

Boo

[Danglekt]

Honestly I'd just bring it in and start working on it. Forgiveness not permission goes a long way when you are just trying to get a job done.

The worst that can happen is they ask you to take it home again, the best they say nothing and maybe even pick it up in the next pat testing sweep. Or even better get it done yourself first About Us

[Clive the 1]

Pat test

PAT Testing Labels x 1000 Passed Stickers Electrical *FREE P+P* | eBay

Time to self-certify

Many thanks! I used to get them from RS.

The company I am contracted to will not allow my own screwdrivers and many other tools.
Even 'phone chargers have to tested.

[piotrkula]

The law says that it needs to be done by a "competent person", probably the easiest way to "prove" it, is by doing one or more of these reasonably priced online courses.

Seaward Training Portal: All courses

Then its a case of getting public liability insurance to cover the work, either upgrade your existing policy, or take out a separate specialist policy.

I thought about doing it myself as client sites require PAT testing and I like to use my own computer and test equipment, as my kit tends to be better than what my clients provide (in the embedded development world with the exception of maybe one client).

Well I suppose forking out £180 for a pat tester and then doing a course online would be that easy then. I though it had to be a certified company but it just seems like sole traders. No wonder they aggressively cold call and always follow up these dates. Ill have a look into that and get ready for my next contract, not going to stir up emotions now.

[PerfectStorm]

PAT Testing Labels x 1000 Passed Stickers Electrical *FREE P+P* | eBay

Time to self-certify

[NotAllThere]

... before you know it the place will be full of 32inch LED monitors, 3 monitors because that's better than 2 right...

Of course right. In my office at client site, everyone has two monitors + laptop monitor. It's still not enough

[northernladuk]

I find it funny the amount of time that clients lose by giving contractors crap kit, pay a dev £500 a day and give him a 300 quid laptop so he's only working at half speed at best, waste of money no?

Lol indeed. Then they have a laptop refresh and and slowly from the senior management down this new kit arrives and the developers get the hand-me-downs as an upgrade. It affects the permie devs as well but they've just given up and make do.

[SlipTheJab]

Not a troll post really. Just a comment that this has been and always will be a frustration for all of us until clients get BYOD. Instead of preaching to the converted he might just grin and bear it as he can't change it an states it's happened on every client. Frustrating yes but part and parcel sadly.

I find it funny the amount of time that clients lose by giving contractors crap kit, pay a dev £500 a day and give him a 300 quid laptop so he's only working at half speed at best, waste of money no?

[northernladuk]

Nice troll post, perhaps if you're not a professional...

Not a troll post really. Just a comment that this has been and always will be a frustration for all of us until clients get BYOD. Instead of preaching to the converted he might just grin and bear it as he can't change it an states it's happened on every client. Frustrating yes but part and parcel sadly.

[SueEllen]

Pat testing you don't need any qualifications at all, you just have to be competent. Pretty sure anyone could buy the kit and do it, as it mostly involves plugging in the device and pressing a button, which is not difficult...

You need to have indemnity and liability insurance in case you test something and it burns down the office a day later.

It's a bit like if your car has an MOT. If it passes the MOT, you immediately drive down the road and the brakes fail due to worn pads the tester has some liability. If it happens a month later then the tester isn't liable.

[NibblyPig]

Bad workman always blames his tools.

People have been managing fine on old kit and out if date software forever. I don't think that's the problem that needs changing.

Nice troll post, perhaps if you're not a professional...

I did a gig on a pc that took 14 minutes to boot, and I had to disable half of the windows services to get any speed. Opening visual studio took about 2 minutes, building the solution took 5 minutes. It was an ancient device.

I have the urge to be professional and productive as that's what they're paying me for. Very frustrating to be hindered when you're billing so much and a new machine would pay for itself in lost productivity in a few days!

I guess if you're just watching the clock and don't give a crap about doing good work then it might not bother you...


Pat testing you don't need any qualifications at all, you just have to be competent. Pretty sure anyone could buy the kit and do it, as it mostly involves plugging in the device and pressing a button, which is not difficult...

[Support Monkey]

Pat testing is a Monkey Job, any Competent person can do it and you don't need a ticket for it, most sparky's run a mile from it because it is beyond boring, just look under any desk do you really want to test all those power cables

[FarmerPalmer]

The law says that it needs to be done by a "competent person", probably the easiest way to "prove" it, is by doing one or more of these reasonably priced online courses.

Seaward Training Portal: All courses

Then its a case of getting public liability insurance to cover the work, either upgrade your existing policy, or take out a separate specialist policy.

I thought about doing it myself as client sites require PAT testing and I like to use my own computer and test equipment, as my kit tends to be better than what my clients provide (in the embedded development world with the exception of maybe one client).