Donating computers to charities.

consumers_revenge

Hi,

Im not sure if this is the best place but seems the best guess.

My employers were looking at donating there old IT kit off to either staff at a cost or local charities. They intend to really destroy the data first ( I already know the implications on this so dont need to be warned, sorry ). The part that concerns me, and trying to get clarification is if this is sold/given away and for whatever reason someone got a shock or it had an electrical fire or something we would still be liable. This was the reason my last 2 employers wouldnt donate stuff. Anyone heard of this? Is it correct? Does it need to be PAT tested or a disclaimer by the people we give it too?

I found some websites and if they are 'donated resellers' then they give them electrical safety checks first.

Odd one, but hopefully someone can help.

Thanks for reading.

CR

fwor

If they are given away with no assurances or guarantees then there should be no problem and no liability on the part of the person/organisation giving.

As it was explained to me (in my minor position in the UK Freegle network) the reason is that there is no "consideration", and therefore there is no contractual relationship between donor and recipient. This is one of the main reasons that Freegle only permits gifting, and not selling or lending.

But I'm not a lawyer - I would be interested to hear if there are other issues that the above does not account for.

consumers_revenge

so giving aways ok but selling on?

scheming_gypsy

NOTHING needs to be PAT tested - http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm

We're currently getting rid of a load of equipment at work and we're just wiping the PC's. Staff pay a nominal donation and charities get them free, we take down details of each PC (asset tag, serial number and PC spec) and produce a receipt to be signed.

Savvy_Sue

Could I just suggest that you see if there are any charities which recycle computers for other charities who'd like these: they will probably have a minimum spec, but it can be a bit of a nightmare to be offered computers about which you know nothing, and getting them up to speed takes time if you give them to individual charities!

texranger

We usually send our old equipment to these http://komputers4kids.co.uk/

oldtoolie

Two registered charities doing this are:
Computer Aid International based in London https://www.computeraid.org
Jamie's Computers based in Southampton https://www.jamies.org.uk

ohreally

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

NOTHING needs to be PAT tested - http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm

Show me where the HSE advise nothing requires to be tested.

texranger

PAT testing is for when its in a business setting, so if you pass these on then its whoever gets it to get a PAT test as this has to be done in situ

patman99

You cannot PAT test a PC. It is a destructive test for such equipment. The only computer kit that is PAT tested are power leads and monitors.

ohreally

patman99 wrote: »

You cannot PAT test a PC. It is a destructive test for such equipment.

200ma earth bond test.