An undercover investigation by consumer group Which? has revealed that many DIY tools available for hire do not meet the required safety standards.

The Press Association reports that Which? investigators found around half of all the tools they looked at failed safety tests. Faults uncovered included unearthed plugs, worn and broken blades, kitchen foil used as a fuse and damaged wires – all of which could have caused injuries, according to the researchers.

As a result of the findings, two of the companies whose tools were put to the test – Jewson and Hire Station – have removed items from their shelves.

The tools examined came from major and independent hire companies – they were tested for electrical and mechanical safety defects in accordance with British standards and guidelines from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, said Which?

Researchers found that three appliances from Speedy Tools were faulty – including a split hose in a wallpaper stripper that might leak hot steam.

Among the tools from Jewson, two out of four tools hired failed the tests, including a loose earth screw on a tile cutter's transformer, which increased the risk of electric shock.

The researchers said that the only tools that passed the safety tests came from HSS Hire.

Which? said that ‘most’ companies had agreed to remove the tools tested from their shelves so that they could investigate further.

Some of the findings of the Which? research have been reported to Trading Standards officers.

The chief executive of Which? – Peter Vicary-Smith – said:

‘DIY enthusiasts trust these stores to provide safe, reliable equipment – but half the tools we tested failed our rigorous tests and some could have caused serious injury. We expect higher standards from hire companies.’

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