Stupid stupid stupud customers.

[apdevelopments]

......

 

[JulianC]

Got an air rifle? I know where there's some lights and a hanging basket you can use as target practice...

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Electrocuted is death by electric shock... Electro(electric) cuted(executed) so technically it was a shock but sounds like a great start to the week OP

i know you didn't want to go into H&S but maybe that'll make you think about getting a lock off kit

 

[RogertheBodger]

Proper rant. 10/10. Better tomorrow mate.

 

[Darkwood]

Firstly and most strongly you are at fault here not your customer - a verbal warning of power been off is not classed as safe isolation, why didn't you lock of or physically remove the cables?
Secondly - unless its a massive downpour rain has never stopped me...maybe just a differing attitude there..
Third and finally - why are you still fitting halogens unless specifically specified by customer I been fitting LED floods for yrs now with no complaints, halogens are prone to wind thus shortended lamp life, waste a lot of energy and have many modern replacements..

The main point here is safety - 2nd and 3rd point are just observational chitchat and valid reasons may exist for them...but the first point is solely your fault and not the way you were taught to isolate safely, you have no right to get angry with the customer and had you been an apprentice or employee of mine you be on a written warning for gross neglect of safety procedures... sackable depending on the exact circumstances but hopefully the shock has reminded you that your lucky you weren't brown bread.

I know you said this is not what the post is about but its half the reason your day was crap, why you got angry and why the job must have seemed to drag on... so even forgetting the H&S side of it, getting that slammer still has a lot to answer for... but yep things can only get better:icon12:

Not sure on your agreement with the customer here but what ever happened to giving an invoice with 28 days to pay?... ither way hope they do cough up and hoping it was just that he wasn't expecting to pay straight away.

 

[ruston]

Back tomorrow get money - if not lights and hanging basket down.

 

[ian.settle1]

Totally no sympathy for you as if you had followed the correct isolation procedure you would have locked it off so it could not be switched back on.

 

[Tidy Max]

Grim mate, if it makes you feel any better i haven't had a day off since new years day and i was on site for 7 am home for 17.30 and i am back on site for 22.00, 22 spot lights and one emergency light to fit then home.... then back on site for 7.30am...........

I really hope you don't get shafted mate, fingers crossed!

 

[Tidy Max]

Firstly and most strongly you are at fault here not your customer - a verbal warning of power been off is not classed as safe isolation, why didn't you lock of or physically remove the cables?
Secondly - unless its a massive downpour rain has never stopped me...maybe just a differing attitude there..
Third and finally - why are you still fitting halogens unless specifically specified by customer I been fitting LED floods for yrs now with no complaints, halogens are prone to wind thus shortended lamp life, waste a lot of energy and have many modern replacements..

The main point here is safety - 2nd and 3rd point are just observational chitchat and valid reasons may exist for them...but the first point is solely your fault and not the way you were taught to isolate safely, you have no right to get angry with the customer and had you been an apprentice or employee of mine you be on a written warning for gross neglect of safety procedures... sackable depending on the exact circumstances but hopefully the shock has reminded you that your lucky you weren't brown bread.

I know you said this is not what the post is about but its half the reason your day was crap, why you got angry and why the job must have seemed to drag on... so even forgetting the H&S side of it, getting that slammer still has a lot to answer for... but yep things can only get better:icon12:

But Darkwood, my NIC assessor scoffed at me for using a lock off kit in a domestic premises. Apparently it was nice that i owned one but pointless in a domestic property........

My reply of "but the bumbag suits me so well" didn't get a laugh either.

 

[Andy78]

But Darkwood, my NIC assessor scoffed at me for using a lock off kit in a domestic premises. Apparently it was nice that i owned one but pointless in a domestic property........

My reply of "but the bumbag suits me so well" didn't get a laugh either.

You see you've done wrong there don't you, you listened to a NICEIC assessor on matters of an electrical nature....

 

[ian.settle1]

But Darkwood, my NIC assessor scoffed at me for using a lock off kit in a domestic premises. Apparently it was nice that i owned one but pointless in a domestic property........

My reply of "but the bumbag suits me so well" didn't get a laugh either.

Somehow I can not see that standing up in court should you ever get taken there by the HSE because someone was injured due to you not carrying out a proper isolation.

 

[Darkwood]

But Darkwood, my NIC assessor scoffed at me for using a lock off kit in a domestic premises. Apparently it was nice that i owned one but pointless in a domestic property........

My reply of "but the bumbag suits me so well" didn't get a laugh either.

Dropping the wires out is good enough so yes no requirement ..never said there was but did stress safe isolation procedures should be followed... if your NIC assessor is so adamant that you can relax these procedures in domestic then show him this thread where the OP could have easily been electricuted or even got a shock and been killed by the fall... giving a verbal warning is not good enough as he has found the hard way... not all customers have an intellectual level that I would be happy to bet my life on.

PS in my early years before all this red tape I learnt to always work as if the cable was energised so if it did become live you have a habitual practice of keeping yourself safe... I still do this today even with safe isolation just by habit.

 

[Tidy Max]

Somehow I can not see that standing up in court should you ever get taken there by the HSE because someone was injured due to you not carrying out a proper isolation.

Who said i don't carry out proper isolation?

 

[Tidy Max]

I didn't pay much attention to what he said at all and i always carry out safe isolation. I only got registered because a builder who gives me a lot of work has started working for a LABC that won't just accept my qualifications.

So much so they refused an EIC off me but accept that fact that the NIC just sends them a message saying work has been done at this address its fine so that's that.

 

[ian.settle1]

Who said i don't carry out proper isolation?

I was refering to the fact the plonker from the NIC coming out with his stupid comment should someone follow it.

 

[Tidy Max]

I was refering to the fact the plonker from the NIC coming out with his stupid comment should someone follow it.

Ahh good point.

Sorry Ian

 

[Pete999]

Totally no sympathy for you as if you had followed the correct isolation procedure you would have locked it off so it could not be switched back on.

Yep totally agree entirely your fault for getting a poke, I know you didn't want to go into this subject, perhaps your day would have been better if you had used the correct isolation prcedure, no excuses now, you know I.m right.
PS hope the muppet pays up sorry meant for OP if you hadn't guessed

 

[TJ Anderson]

Bad start to the week!!

 

[ruston]

Dropping the wires out is good enough so yes no requirement ..never said there was but did stress safe isolation procedures should be followed... if your NIC assessor is so adamant that you can relax these procedures in domestic then show him this thread where the OP could have easily been electricuted or even got a shock and been killed by the fall... giving a verbal warning is not good enough as he has found the hard way... not all customers have an intellectual level that I would be happy to bet my life on.

PS in my early years before all this red tape I learnt to always work as if the cable was energised so if it did become live you have a habitual practice of keeping yourself safe... I still do this today even with safe isolation just by habit.

So do I, what miffed me it wasn't a reason not to pay him. Two wrongs ..............

 

[Guest77]

I have such a rubbish day that I think this deserves a post.
Ok today started off rubbish and ended up rubbish to finish off. I will use rubbish and light wordin to keep the language clean but I am thinking much stronger wording.
So I was booked to fit 3 new halogen security lights. Change like for like so all the power runs were there but the old lights did not work.
It started off rubbish as soon as I got up. It was raining. My rule of thumb. No outside electrical work when it's raining. Especially up a ladder.
So I phoned up the customer to reschedule.
Here we go.
I got grief down the phone telling me that I couldn't be bothered and was using the rain as a excuse.
I made it very clear that I was not fitting any lights in the rain and she's welcome to rebook for a dry day.
Just my luck. By 10 am the weather was brightening up and the rain had stopped so I decided to phone the customer so that we can start the work fitting the lights.
I picked up my lad (helper) on the way. It's always good to have somebody at the bottom of the ladder.
Anyway. We arrived at the customers house to start the work as quoted.
1st light no problems fitted. Tested and working. Fortunately the lights are not to high around 10 ft.
So here we go. 2nd light.
I tell the customer that I am turning off the power again and she confirmed that it was ok.
Back up the ladder and I remove the old light. Connect up my Megger to the connections and go back to turn on the power to test the supply.
Test the supply and everything checks out ok. then off with the power to fit the new light.
So there I am up the ladder about 5 rugs up so not that high. My lad is below me keeping the ladder safe.
As I'm busy connecting up the light putting the wires into the connecting block I get a almighty shock and a bright flash and bang.
I kind of jump backwards off the ladder from the shock but manage to save myself from completely falling off the ladder and breaking my neck.
Once I'm back on the ground and still in shock from what has just happened. My lad said he had just got a small electric shock from the ladder. I realised that the freaking power was on. What the hell.
I goes into the house and yes the consumer unit was switched on.
I shouts to the customer( did she turn this on?) and she replies.
(((((YES I NEEDED THE INTERNET))))))
I won't repeat what I shouted to the customer and what the next 10 minuites conversation was but I can confirmed that it was not polite to say the least.
Silly cow nearly killed me so that she could have the freaking Internet.
As I had lost my cool I decided to quit this job. Make the cable safe. Pack up and get out of there no charge.
We had just packed up. More like chucking everything in the van in a temper.
Then her husband decided to come out and started to have a go for talking to her in this manner. I've upset her.
It wasn't long before he knew what had happened and why I was so annoyed.
Fortunatly he understood why I was so annoyed and went back in the house with his tail between his legs.
He did ask me to wait just for a min while he chats to the wife.
Stupid me I waited. I should have just driven off.
after about 5 mins she came out all apologetic for what has happend and asked me if I could finish off her lights.
By this time I had calmed down and finally agreed to finish off the job.
So here we go. Back to work.
On the last light it was all fitted and ready to go. I turn the power back on and guess what. ((( faulty light)))).
Fortunatly I have one in the van as I always keep one light in stock.
Half hour later the replacement was all fitted and working.
Now at this point you think it was all over. Yea right!!!
The husband comes out and asked for a favour. As I had the ladder and the drill out would I fit up a hanging basket bracket. Only 1.
Ummmmm. Oh ok. So I fitted up his basket bracket.
Finally the job was finished. It's getting dark and everything's packed up and all lights working.
Time to settle up.
Standing in the customers hallway by the front door I discuss the final bill trying to avoid what happend.
now I'm a trades person that has invested in a mobile credit debit card machine to take payments.
Much better than any cheque.
So I take the payment but his card is declined. I tried 3 times but it's declined. He confirms that he has no cash to pay me.
Ok so he says he will phone me as soon as the wife gets home with her credit card details.
Im forced to accept that he will phone me later. For some reason I don't trust him.
Anyway. It's now 8pm and I've had no phone call yet. I've tried phoning but it keeps going to answer phone. .
so now it looks like that I have been stiffed as well.
Im going to bed now as I'm so fed up.
Now I don't want to discuss the yes and nos to the health and safety using lock out kits on old fuse wire fuse boards etc etc.
this is not what this post is about.
I just wanted to type this up so you can enjoy how rubbish my day was.
so I've been insulted, electroquted, lied to and now stiffed.
ive decided to let this one go as I can't be bothered with any more grief today.
Many thanks for reading

El ----o, potto.

 

[shanky887614]

keep N-E in connector when swapping lights, it will stop them resetting breaker.

or put the bullet in your pocket

 

[shanky887614]

why did you turn the wholeboard off to change outside lights anyway?

there is no need to, turn the one feeding lights off and lock off

 

[TJ Anderson]

You getting zapped or you and the lad taking all day doing three like for like replacements..... Not sure what is more shocking

 

[shanky887614]

You getting zapped or you and the lad taking all day doing three like for like replacements..... Not sure what is more shocking

im swapped fused spurs live

 

[Sparkie30]

You getting zapped or you and the lad taking all day doing three like for like replacements..... Not sure what is more shocking

Your post is a lot more shocking mate. Making fun at someone's missery.:icon13::icon13::icon13::icon13::icon13:

 

[Geordie Spark]

I have such a rubbish day that I think this deserves a post.
Ok today started off rubbish and ended up rubbish to finish off. I will use rubbish and light wordin to keep the language clean but I am thinking much stronger wording.
So I was booked to fit 3 new halogen security lights. Change like for like so all the power runs were there but the old lights did not work.
It started off rubbish as soon as I got up. It was raining. My rule of thumb. No outside electrical work when it's raining. Especially up a ladder.
So I phoned up the customer to reschedule.
Here we go.
I got grief down the phone telling me that I couldn't be bothered and was using the rain as a excuse.
I made it very clear that I was not fitting any lights in the rain and she's welcome to rebook for a dry day.
Just my luck. By 10 am the weather was brightening up and the rain had stopped so I decided to phone the customer so that we can start the work fitting the lights.
I picked up my lad (helper) on the way. It's always good to have somebody at the bottom of the ladder.
Anyway. We arrived at the customers house to start the work as quoted.
1st light no problems fitted. Tested and working. Fortunately the lights are not to high around 10 ft.
So here we go. 2nd light.
I tell the customer that I am turning off the power again and she confirmed that it was ok.
Back up the ladder and I remove the old light. Connect up my Megger to the connections and go back to turn on the power to test the supply.
Test the supply and everything checks out ok. then off with the power to fit the new light.
So there I am up the ladder about 5 rugs up so not that high. My lad is below me keeping the ladder safe.
As I'm busy connecting up the light putting the wires into the connecting block I get a almighty shock and a bright flash and bang.
I kind of jump backwards off the ladder from the shock but manage to save myself from completely falling off the ladder and breaking my neck.
Once I'm back on the ground and still in shock from what has just happened. My lad said he had just got a small electric shock from the ladder. I realised that the freaking power was on. What the hell.
I goes into the house and yes the consumer unit was switched on.
I shouts to the customer( did she turn this on?) and she replies.
(((((YES I NEEDED THE INTERNET))))))
I won't repeat what I shouted to the customer and what the next 10 minuites conversation was but I can confirmed that it was not polite to say the least.
Silly cow nearly killed me so that she could have the freaking Internet.
As I had lost my cool I decided to quit this job. Make the cable safe. Pack up and get out of there no charge.
We had just packed up. More like chucking everything in the van in a temper.
Then her husband decided to come out and started to have a go for talking to her in this manner. I've upset her.
It wasn't long before he knew what had happened and why I was so annoyed.
Fortunatly he understood why I was so annoyed and went back in the house with his tail between his legs.
He did ask me to wait just for a min while he chats to the wife.
Stupid me I waited. I should have just driven off.
after about 5 mins she came out all apologetic for what has happend and asked me if I could finish off her lights.
By this time I had calmed down and finally agreed to finish off the job.
So here we go. Back to work.
On the last light it was all fitted and ready to go. I turn the power back on and guess what. ((( faulty light)))).
Fortunatly I have one in the van as I always keep one light in stock.
Half hour later the replacement was all fitted and working.
Now at this point you think it was all over. Yea right!!!
The husband comes out and asked for a favour. As I had the ladder and the drill out would I fit up a hanging basket bracket. Only 1.
Ummmmm. Oh ok. So I fitted up his basket bracket.
Finally the job was finished. It's getting dark and everything's packed up and all lights working.
Time to settle up.
Standing in the customers hallway by the front door I discuss the final bill trying to avoid what happend.
now I'm a trades person that has invested in a mobile credit debit card machine to take payments.
Much better than any cheque.
So I take the payment but his card is declined. I tried 3 times but it's declined. He confirms that he has no cash to pay me.
Ok so he says he will phone me as soon as the wife gets home with her credit card details.
Im forced to accept that he will phone me later. For some reason I don't trust him.
Anyway. It's now 8pm and I've had no phone call yet. I've tried phoning but it keeps going to answer phone. .
so now it looks like that I have been stiffed as well.
Im going to bed now as I'm so fed up.
Now I don't want to discuss the yes and nos to the health and safety using lock out kits on old fuse wire fuse boards etc etc.
this is not what this post is about.
I just wanted to type this up so you can enjoy how rubbish my day was.
so I've been insulted, electroquted, lied to and now stiffed.
ive decided to let this one go as I can't be bothered with any more grief today.
Many thanks for reading

Don't exaggerate ... you have NOT been "Electrocuted" as you're obviously still alive!


AND .. next time; LOCK IT OFF!!

 

[ian.settle1]

Don't exaggerate ... you have NOT been "Electrocuted" as you're obviously still alive!


And .. next time; LOCK IT OFF!!

As there may not be a next time

 

[Tug]

Great story! I do hope you get weighed in, I assume you've had to pay the lad anyway, despite getting the knock?

You said "Fuse wire", as in 3036? If so, why not just pull the relevant fuse?

 

[Geordie Spark]

As there may not be a next time

Exactly!!!

The bloke's an idiot but a very lucky idiot! :frown2:

I think it's "sparks" of this calibre that got us all landed with Part Pi$$.

 

[Leesparkykent]

If they don't settle you up, send the lad back round with a lump of wood to smash the outside lights you put up off the wall,Lol. After the day you have had I would of probably forcibly persuaded him in to the van and driven him to the nearest cash machine!

 

[GB.Kayak]

Lock off with a tag ... I thought that I was reasonably equipped with the kit until I turned up on 2 sites over the last few weeks where my kit did not fit. The domestic setting was a new build ... nice big new consumer unit ... property being built for an electrician. Neither lock-off device worked; I was 'fortunate' that there were only 3 of us on site all working as part of a close knit multi-trade team in the garage and remote from the CU. I was the only one who needed to access the CU in the main house, in hindsight I should have locked the house door to reduce the risk further. In the second instance, a light commercial setting, the DB was of a sufficient age to have removable PDs leaving ~ IP2X hazard. I pocketed them whilst remote from the DB. What other options are available when your lock-off kit doesn't fit.

 

[shanky887614]

Lock off with a tag ... I thought that I was reasonably equipped with the kit until I turned up on 2 sites over the last few weeks where my kit did not fit. The domestic setting was a new build ... nice big new consumer unit ... property being built for an electrician. Neither lock-off device worked; I was 'fortunate' that there were only 3 of us on site all working as part of a close knit multi-trade team in the garage and remote from the CU. I was the only one who needed to access the CU in the main house, in hindsight I should have locked the house door to reduce the risk further. In the second instance, a light commercial setting, the DB was of a sufficient age to have removable PDs leaving ~ IP2X hazard. I pocketed them whilst remote from the DB. What other options are available when your lock-off kit doesn't fit.

remove the outgoing cable from the breaker.

 

[rapparee]

As wrong as he was i think the op deserves some sympathy. What sort of idiot turns on the electric if an electrician working at your house turns it off? Would you turn on the water supply if a plumber turned it off and was fitting new taps in your house? Or flush the toilet if a man was hooking up a septic tank?

I also hope he gets paid but you cant expect to get paid every evening.

 

[TJ Anderson]

"Hiya Love, eh...COURSE I KNOW WHAT IM DOING!! Cash or cheque is fine thanks"

 

[shanky887614]

wierd that img wont link

 

[Besoeker]

Don't exaggerate ... you have NOT been "Electrocuted" as you're obviously still alive!

Electrocution can be injury or death caused by electric shock.

AND .. next time; LOCK IT OFF!!

Totally agree. Lock out, tag out.

 

[Geordie Spark]

As wrong as he was i think the op deserves some sympathy. What sort of idiot turns on the electric if an electrician working at your house turns it off? Would you turn on the water supply if a plumber turned it off and was fitting new taps in your house? Or flush the toilet if a man was hooking up a septic tank?

I also hope he gets paid but you cant expect to get paid every evening.

A woman .... they don't think properly.


No, I wouldn't BUT I've been on the wrong end of it when someone has - and yes - it WAS a woman!!

 

[davesparks]

Electrocution can be injury or death caused by electric shock.

out.

My dictionary defines it as death by electric shock, derived from the words 'electric' and 'execution'

It was originally used to describe that particular method of carrying out a death sentence and then moved in to more common use.

 

[sparkdog]

I always lock off regardless.Reminds me of locking off once and Mrs Housewife says"Don't know why you are doing that,there is only me here," and I think "Yes that's exactly why."

 

[telectrix]

could have been much worse, geordie. it could have happened to me or you.

 

[Besoeker]

My dictionary defines it as death by electric shock, derived from the words 'electric' and 'execution'

It was originally used to describe that particular method of carrying out a death sentence and then moved in to more common use.

From Wikipedia:

Electrocution is death or injury caused by either accidental or deliberate.

 

[pennychew]

From Wikipedia:

Wiki never a great point of reference

 

[Besoeker]

Wiki never a great point of reference

Fairy 'nuff.

 

[Marvo]

I'm just hoping it was a lesson learned. You can shout at the customer all you want but if you didn't lock-off or disconnect you're going to have more bad days in the future and they could be worse than this one.

 

[pennychew]

Fairy 'nuff.

I still use it when I Google something but I've seen some canny wind ups on there as well!

 

[Besoeker]

I'm just hoping it was a lesson learned. You can shout at the customer all you want but if you didn't lock-off or disconnect you're going to have more bad days in the future and they could be worse than this one.

I agree.
The sites I go to are industrial.
Lock off tag out rules, man.
You'd be permanently banned from site if you didn't adhere to them.

 

[Geordie Spark]

My dictionary defines it as death by electric shock, derived from the words 'electric' and 'execution'

It was originally used to describe that particular method of carrying out a death sentence and then moved in to more common use.

Yep that's what my Geordie dictionary defines it as too so it MUST be right!!!

 

[Andy78]

Before tonight's thread the OP had not posted for nearly three years... what's the bets he leaves it a similar time before he posts again ?

 

[Besoeker]

I still use it when I Google something but I've seen some canny wind ups on there as well!

But here is another link not from Wiki:

electrocute: definition of electrocute in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)

Lots of others but I found this interesting:

While the term electrocute was originally coined in 1889¹ to mean execution by electric shock, its meaning has evolved over time: first to also include accidental death by electric shock and later to include electrical injury,² generally serious in nature.

Language evolves.......
Enough.....

 

[Geordie Spark]

could have been much worse, geordie. it could have happened to me or you.

The only time it happened to me was when I got caught by a borrowed neutral.

It was in a foundry and I was working on the DB which was all nicely isolated and dead when I tested it.

However there was a small office in the corner of the shop which somebody had rigged-up a light in and took the feed from something that was not on the board I was working on and the neutral from something that WAS on the board I was working on.

When I tested, there was no one in the office and the light was off so it tested dead, but while I was working on it somebody went into the office & switched the light on and I was shot off the ladder into a pile of scrap metal

I still have the scars and back problems even now.