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News

GREEN LIGHT FOR POOLE’S DIY ENTHUSIASTS

A recent investigation by Borough of Poole Consumer Protection officers has given the all clear to Poole’s Do it Yourself enthusiasts and a pat on the back for local tool hire companies. As part of a routine spot check, officers visited all of Poole’s tool hire companies to check the quality and safety of their hire tools.

The checks were prompted following an investigation by trading standards colleagues in other areas of the UK which generally found equipment to be poorly maintained and lacking the necessary instruction for safe use. Nationally thousands of people end up in hospital as a result of failure to follow manufacturers instructions.

However, investigators in Poole, where floor sanders, wallpaper strippers, drill and other power tools were tested, have found the safety standards to be extremely high.

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Borough of Poole Consumer Protection Services, said:
‘The popularity of TV’s "Changing Rooms" and "Ground Force" reflects the growing trend of the public to do major household repairs which require the hire of specialist equipment. It’s excellent that Poole traders are demonstrating such a responsible attitude towards the safety of their customers. Poole DIY enthusiasts can hire these products with confidence’.

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Note to Editors
1. Tests were carried out to ensure compliance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and involved both a visual inspection and electrical checks using specialist equipment to determine whether the product was dangerous. Systems to ensure the products were adequately maintained were examined.

2. A total of 44 items were subjected to test at 4 hire companies and none were thought to represent an immediate danger to the user although some small faults were found requiring minor repair and these were to be rectified.

3. It's estimated that in 1998 nearly 83,000 people in the UK suffered injury requiring medical attention following accidents with DIY tools (source= DTI Consumer Safety Unit).

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection, tel: (01202) 261700