Press Releases

Valet equipment, LFMI and electrical cables

Effective joint working

However, with the increasing number of car valets setting up, it is well worth that extra look whilst you are out and

about, especially when they have set up adjacent to a forecourt and to consider the extra risks it could bring. This also emphasises the effective enforcement assistance that colleagues in Environmental Health can bring.

The current position is that I have now received a complaint from a member of the public regarding the new location of the car valet. It is now on a shared driveway on the other side of the site causing a mess, excess water and potential highway congestion when cars are queuing. I am now in discussion with the Highways Department and Police into resolving this. You save them from being blown up and they still complain….

Peter Fear Trading Standards Officer/Petroleum Officer pfear@northamptonshire.gov.uk

close proximity to the appliance cables and valet equipment.

Enforcement Action

We then introduced ourselves to the site owner. He was renting the space on his site to 2 gentlemen to carry on their valeting business. As soon as we advised of our concerns he immediately instructed them to cease their activities and we discussed moving them to a different position on the site, well out of any hazardous zones.

I directed the owner to his licence conditions regarding ‘material alterations to the site’and asked if he had sought approval from the Petroleum Licensing Authority. I also asked if a risk assessment had been carried out in relation to the valet to which both answers were ‘no’. I issued a notice under DSEAR regarding the requirement to notify and seek approval by the Petroleum Licensing Authority, to carry out a site specific risk assessment in relation to the valet and also regarding the operation of ordinary electrical equipment in a hazardous zone.

The EHO issued a prohibition notice under the Health and Safety Act Work Etc Act 1974 and also the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 in relation to the use of inadequately protected or suitably constructed electrical appliances being exposed to wet or dirty conditions and flammable or explosive vapours.

No further action was deemed necessary on this occasion due to the co-operation of the owner, good previous history, the size of the business and the many Regulations small retailers face whilst carrying on their business.

Valet equipment, LFMI and cables