Second hand ceiling lights

[japate]

Hi y'all,
I work in a charity shop doing PAT testing and some visitor said to me that you do not have to PAT test ceiling lights as they do not have a plug on them - and that they should be installed in a house by an electrican.
My point of view is that these lights should be PAT tested (we have made up various leads to connect the lights to) to conform with the regulations (Resale of goods Act) that these items are fit for purpose.
The charity has no control of who buys these things, and one hopes that they will be installed by an electrican.
The question therefore is, legally should we be testing these lights and selling them on, or should we bin the lot?.
Constructive comments would be most welcome.
japate

 

[gaffer]

Hi,
My mum works as a manager in our local Red Cross charity shop and they are not allowed to sell any electrical goods that are donated to them.I think this is more down to an insurance liability issue than anything,it might be worth checking were you stand legally especially if your putting your name on the test labels.

 

[ian3012]

can't see a problem with this... not sure on the legal retail angle , but you're certainly taking more trouble than anyone else would to make sure that the goods are fit for purpose... i reckon you're more than covering your --- there...

i was always told in college that anyone working on electrics has no redress in the event of a problem, as they need to be a competent person to be working on them in the first place,... some legal beagle on here will know if thats right or not...

 

[japate]

Gaffer - thanks for reply. Pproviding these electrical items are tested by a qualified PAT tester and labeled as such then they can be sold - the BIG prolem is getting hold of qualified people (C&G 2377-002) to do the testing and be able to do it in a suitable enviroment i.e. in safe and proper place. ( Initally I was kneeling on shop floors, with extension leads all over the place, and customers walking over and around me - hardlly ideal!!) We now have a proper workshop area and to date wehave done about 3500 items.

Many thanks Ian for yur comments - yes it seems that I need a Legal Begle's thoughts on this - these ceiling lights sell qute well - but need to be sure of my ground here.

japate

 

[acat]

Had the same problem myself Health and Safety visited a local charity and informed them that all electrical goods they had for sale had to be PAT tested. The charity were issued with a warning and came knocking on my door.

Now that I do the PAT testing Health and Safety are happy.


Chris

 

[Golden_Boy]

PAT first letter PORTABLE !!