Risk Assessment
A Rebel Without a
16 Open House Issue 100
Some time ago ‘EDF’ (my energy provider) contacted me with a request that I allow them to fit ‘Smart-Meters’ for my gas and electricity. Despite my utter contempt for the American bastardisation of our beautiful language substituting the word ‘smart’ for the word ‘intelligent’ (probably too long a word for the average American intellect to negotiate), I agreed to their request. After confirming that both meters would be accessible for the engineer and verifying the fact that we have solar panels on our roof, they made an appointment for an ‘Electrical Engineer’ to come and fit the new meters. The day before the appointment I spent an hour clearing as much stuff out of the utility room, where the gas and electric meters are situated, including lugging a tumble-drier out of there, which did no favours for my 60-year-old chronically arthritic spine; to ensure easy access for the ‘engineer’. The following day a young guy arrived and, after taking a single glance at the small cupboard where the electric meter is situated, he asked me if I had solar panels fitted. I replied, “Yes they are the big shiny black things that are clearly visible on the roof as you approach the house.” He then asked where the generator for the panels was situated; I told him it was in the loft (for the benefit of southern readers, that’s the same as an attic, only dustier). “Is your loft fully boarded-out and fitted with a fixed drop-down ladder?” he asked. “No” I replied, “That’s why I referred to it as ‘the loft’ rather than the ‘dormer bedroom’, because it’s just a loft.” “I do have an aluminium step-ladder that I use to get into the loft though” I said, trying to be helpful. “I can only go up there if it is boarded out and there is a fixed ladder” he said. “You’re an electrician aren’t you?” I asked incredulously. “Yes!” he replied firmly. “But you cannot climb a 6ft step-ladder?” “No, I’m not allowed too!” he replied. Totally nonplussed, I said, “What if I go up my step-ladder, stick my head into the loft and turn-off the isolator switch on the generator, which is within easy reach of the loft hatch? Would that be OK?” “I suppose so” replied the alleged ‘electrical engineer’ somewhat doubtfully. “I’ll just contact my office again and check a few things”.
