Charity Shop - Can we giveaway a brand new electrical item without PAT test?

mrsjcmking

Hi

I manage a small charity shop. We often get electrical items donated and obviously we cannot sell them. However someone recently donated a brand new smoothie maker, still in its box, never touched, still has every piece of packaging and wrapping, including the plug pin protectors and even ties around wires etc. I want to use this item in a competition on our Facebook page - in a bid to get more fans (I will be doing it by all the Facebook rules and running it via a 3rd party app etc etc).

I have read through all the trading standards advice and scoured the internet and can only find information regarding SELLING secondhand items.

As we are not actually selling it do these rules still apply? And technically this item is brand new - not secondhand?!

My electrician says if its less than 12 months old it doesnt require PAT testing - but I cannot prove purchase date, so does it have to be 12 months from purchase date or 12 months from the first use.

It all feels very vague and I am struggling to find advice - I don't want to risk being liable for this!!!

Owain_Moneysaver

Whether you're selling it or giving it away you would be liable if the appliance is unsafe.

The item is not new, as although unused it has already been owned by an end user.

You need to carry out a risk assessment and if it is still in as new condition then it is likely that your risk assessment would find that a visual inspection would be sufficient, e.g. you check that the plug is firmly attached and has the correct fuse, the cable isn't twisted or damaged, the case isn't damaged or cracked, the manufacturer's instructions are present, and that any safety interlock or blade guard is in place and functioning.

Your electrician is wrong to say that it doesn't require PAT testing at less than 12 months. The frequency and nature of in-service inspection and testing of electrical appliances must be determined taking into account the nature of the appliance and its working environment.

A desktop computer in an office would typically have a visual inspection annually and not need to be tested during its 3 year working life. A power tool on a building site might have a visual inspection weekly and a test every 3 months.

mrsjcmking

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Whether you're selling it or giving it away you would be liable if the appliance is unsafe.

The item is not new, as although unused it has already been owned by an end user.

You need to carry out a risk assessment and if it is still in as new condition then it is likely that your risk assessment would find that a visual inspection would be sufficient, e.g. you check that the plug is firmly attached and has the correct fuse, the cable isn't twisted or damaged, the case isn't damaged or cracked, the manufacturer's instructions are present, and that any safety interlock or blade guard is in place and functioning.

Your electrician is wrong to say that it doesn't require PAT testing at less than 12 months. The frequency and nature of in-service inspection and testing of electrical appliances must be determined taking into account the nature of the appliance and its working environment.

A desktop computer in an office would typically have a visual inspection annually and not need to be tested during its 3 year working life. A power tool on a building site might have a visual inspection weekly and a test every 3 months.

Can I do the visual inspection? Or do I need an electrician to do it? If I carry out the risk assessment and do the visual inspection and maybe have some paperwork with it - would we be okay do you think?

I hate chucking away electrical items as it is but when it is brand new and can be used as a promotional tool I can't bear it to go in the bin. We are in desperate need of some publicity and dont have the backing that other bigger charities have. So frustrating!

Owain_Moneysaver

mrsjcmking wrote: »

Can I do the visual inspection? Or do I need an electrician to do it? If I carry out the risk assessment and do the visual inspection and maybe have some paperwork with it - would we be okay do you think?

Have a look at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

This covers in-service inspection and testing for appliances in the workplace. If you are selling (and I think giving away as a prize would be included) then you also have to comply with current product safety regulations, for example, older appliances with red/black/green coloured wires can be used safety in the workplace, but would fail the regulations for supply by sale. So you'd need a bit wider knowledge than just that required for in-service inspection and testing.

A lot of electricians will do 'PAT' tests for £1 an item or less if you give them a boxful at a time to work through.