PAT, is a legal requirement and has been since April 1990, if you do not comply your Public Liability insurance is invalied. To PAT your kit, you must be competant in the eyes of the law, qaulified electrican or electronics engineer that is convercent with current regulations.

Mikeee I understand what you are saying, but as it stands at the present time NEITHER PAT Testing or PLI are required to work as a DJ in this country. Desirable yes, but not enforcable.

We all know certain local authorities, hotel chains etc will ask for it and indeed without it you can't work for them, but when we talk about the vast majority of DJ's doing birthdays, weddings and parties most caretakers would'nt know a PAT Test cert or PLI insurance from a ham sandwich!!

It would be a wonderful world if all DJ's did have these two things but as it stands right now sadly many many of them could'nt give a t*ss!

I like to think our forum members are a cut above that!

Well - both Mikeee is right and Spin.
Ladies and Gentlemen......

I would echo Mikeee's point but perhaps another way of looking at the raised issue is this:

If you are covered with both PLI and P.A.T., you are not only totally legal - you offer 'peace of mind to the client.

Spindoctor will tell you that there are many council venues objecting to 'DJ's' performing at their venue unless they hold PLI.
I agree about the caretaker reference but venue managers or staff are bound by the rules.
In most cases, the certificates are required IN ADVANCE of a function.
I know of a couple of DJ's who are veterans but REFUSE to go down this road, and as a consequence - LOSE WORK.
It's a subject I think we all should agree on - as it's not a local law but NATIONAL.

Thanks Dan, as a matter of interest I have started a seperate poll to see how many of our members have actually been asked to show these in the past 12 months at ANY venue.

So vote away boys and girls, lets see if venues/punters really are bothered or not.

QUOTE

NEITHER PAT Testing or PLI are required to work as a DJ in this country.

a breach of the electricity at work reg's springs to mind here,

PAT, is a legal requirement, even if "jobsworth" dose't know what he's asking for. PLI is common sense, would you drive your car without insurance?

No of course not Mike but you and I and a few others make our living at this. I would go so far as to say a lot if not 'the majority' of part - timers who only work one maybe two days a week will not bother with those requirements as its extra money 'lost' if they have to pay it out. Unfortunately as the law stands right now if they are not going to be asked for either (which at the moment is what our poll is showing) then they will continue to flout the law.

Can you imagine in your wildest dreams what would happen if every single venue insisted on it? We as professionals would be inundated with work, would be able to charge a reasonable rate for the job, and get the recognition as professional entertainers we deserve!

However I am a realist and I can't see it happening in this country in the forseeable future.

(The opinions expressed here are my own and not directed at any individuals part-time or otherwise)

QUOTE (The Spindoctor @ May 27 2003, 02:11 AM)

Can you imagine in your wildest dreams what would happen if every single venue insisted on it? We as professionals would be inundated with work, would be able to charge a reasonable rate for the job, and get the recognition as professional entertainers we deserve! .....However I am a realist and I can't see it happening in this country in the forseeable future.

Just you wait and see matey!!!!!
(Around November.......!)