G4S AccuRead Ltd

missile

I thought some of you might appreciate an update?

I decided that I would let him read the meters and made sure I would be at home for his scheduled visit.

He turned up at 6.00pm "come to inspect your meter" I asked for his name which he was reluctant to give and checked his identification matched the name he gave. We don't wear outdoor shoes at home and I asked if he would mind removing his dirty workboots "That's against health and safety". He did not have overshoes either, so I sent him away.

I have had enough and phoned British Gas. They were very nice. Said, this is not the first such complaint, they have had claims for damage to floor coverings. They appologised and told me that they would take the matter up with AccuRead.

donna1963_2

missile wrote: »

I am quite capable of reading my own meter.

I work for G4S reading meters it is a legal requirement to view the said meters, this is to ensure that the meter is safe to use. Also Im wuite sure that you would know that your supplier doesn't own the meter it is owned by transco who have the right to gain entry.

shaun_from_Africa

"That's against health and safety".

Total and utter bull****

The health and safety Executive's stance on safety wear is:

The main requirement of the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 is that personal protective equipment is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.

And if someone thinks that their feet can be injured by reading a gas meter then they are in the wrong job.

I work for G4S reading meters it is a legal requirement to view the said meters,

But only once every two years, so providing the OP has had someone from the gas supply company in to see the meter or take a reading in the past 2 years, then they are not obliged to allow them in again.
A self taken reading should be enough to satisfy them.

donna1963_2

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Total and utter bull****

The health and safety Executive's stance on safety wear is:


And if someone thinks that their feet can be injured by reading a gas meter then they are in the wrong job.



But only once every two years, so providing the OP has had someone from the gas supply company in to see the meter or take a reading in the past 2 years, then they are not obliged to allow them in again.
A self taken reading should be enough to satisfy them.

If its for the supplier thats correct, but National Grid who owns the meters can gain entry anytime they want to check thier own meters, as the footwear issue we are supplied with overshoes to put over your own, in my team we have a lot of big houses and we take our shoes off i wouldnt let me into my house wearing my work shoes as some of the places building sites public toilets etc.,

missile

donna1963 wrote: »

If its for the supplier thats correct, but National Grid who owns the meters can gain entry anytime they want to check thier own meters, as the footwear issue we are supplied with overshoes to put over your own, in my team we have a lot of big houses and we take our shoes off i wouldnt let me into my house wearing my work shoes as some of the places building sites public toilets etc.,

GS4 are not the "National Grid" and AFIK have no statutory right of entry. I don't own a big house, but I would suggest even the most humble home owner has the right to ask visitors to their home to remove dirty work boots. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and courtesy.

You may not have noticed this post?

He turned up at 6.00pm "come to inspect your meter" I asked for his name which he was reluctant to give and checked his identification matched the name he gave. We don't wear outdoor shoes at home and I asked if he would mind removing his dirty workboots "That's against health and safety". He did not have overshoes either, so I sent him away.

I am pleased to report that the next meter reader was much more customer focused. He did not have overshoes but did take his boots off when asked.

I don't understand why you felt the need to post on an 11 month old thread?

hellnearth

Hiya. I work for G4S Accuread as a meter reader. And yes it is a legal requirement that your meter is checked/read by an official reader once a year.
Agreed, this guy was pretty rude and did not follow the recommended procedure i.e. introduce himself and the company. He should be wearing an ID badge and it has a freephone number on it for customers to phone to verify identity and I'm sure you could probably register your complaint that way.

missile

hellnearth wrote: »

Hiya. I work for G4S Accuread as a meter reader. And yes it is a legal requirement that your meter is checked/read by an official reader once a year..

I not surprised that a G4S meter reader does not know the current regulations. I do wonder about the quality of ythe training you are given. May I suggest you check the current Licence conditions.

For your info>

GAS ACT 1986

Standard conditions of gas supply licence


Inspection of Gas Meters

12.8 Unless the Authority otherwise consents, the licensee must take all reasonable steps to ensure that it inspects, at least once every two years, any Gas Meter and associated installation in respect of premises at which it is the Relevant Gas Supplier.

I hope you wear overshoes or remove your boots when entering a customers home?

FYI, I did not get any response to my complaint to G4S:(.
Then I complained to BG and did get a satisfactory response :T

vikingaero

Piterjhon001 wrote: »

I have just come around this forum. I am looking for some cool ideas to start a brand new flower business in London. Does anybody has any idea to help me with?

Yes post on a non-gas thread.

vikingaero

I always know when the meters in our street have been read - the monkey who opens the boxes never closes them properly. It's not rocket science.

PZH

Well, I've been in my house just short of 2 years and have always supplied my own meter readings because the meter is behind a locked door.

Will be interested to see if anyone asks to actually read them then when my 2 years is up :j