Blocking cashier
A blocked cashier is an agent of a utility company who visits customers who do not pay their invoice after several reminders and who calls for the outstanding amount. If this cannot be paid, the cashier blocks the electricity , gas or drinking water connection .
education
Technical monitoring associations and other further training institutions organize seminars in cooperation with the employers' liability insurance association , in which technical laypeople acquire specialist knowledge in order to be able to carry out work under voltage and to lock and unlock electricity meters. It is an additional qualification as an electrician for specified activities . In order to acquire this additional qualification, according to § 2 of the special legal regulation for the IHK examination "additional qualification electrician for specified activities" , a completed training in an industrial-technical occupation and proof of participation in the lay training mentioned above are sufficient. The exam is usually carried out directly after the training. The training period is approximately six days including the day of the exam.
Technical process
The cashier has to cut the electrical connection of the customer on the side of the energy supplier, so he does not intervene in the customer system. Usually this is in front of the electricity meter. Either there is a removable fuse , which is replaced by a sealed dummy, an NH fuse or a line circuit breaker or SLS switch that is sealed in the off position. In older systems, however, the cashier often has to disconnect the meter connection. In order not to have to switch off other consumers (e.g. in an apartment building), it may be necessary to carry out this work while live .
hazards
Blocking cashiers are exposed to dangers from people who are prone to violence and from the effects of electrical currents.
Electrical accidents occur in particular when disconnecting and establishing the connection between the electricity meter and the supply network when a high load current flows. Then an arc fault can develop which, if the protective clothing is not worn, can lead to burns and eye damage.
Legal framework of the activity
A lock cashier does not have the right to premises where the utilities are located seek, if these the domestic authority subject to the debtor and this does not agree. Generally, this is the case when the utilities are inside the debtor's home and the debtor is denied entry to the home. If the blocked cashier disregards the will of the owner of the domiciliary rights, he is liable to prosecution. If several parties, for example in an apartment building, have domiciliary rights over the premises with the supply facilities, the blocked cashier can obtain access from one of these parties. Only access to the premises of the supply facilities is legally protected here, but not manipulation of the supply facilities themselves. If the blocked cashier is denied access to the supply facilities, the supply company can issue an injunction or, in civil proceedings, a title against fight for the debtor. In this case, the blocked cashier can accompany the bailiff, who gives him access to the supply facilities on the basis of the injunction or the legally binding title. The debtor can, if he can effectively prevent the access of the blocked cashier, create more time to settle the outstanding debts, but now additional costs are incurred.
If the blocked cashier carries out this activity independently or on a freelance basis, he must obtain the collection permit from the responsible regional court or local court in accordance with Section 2 (2) Legal Services Act . Furthermore, in this case, in accordance with the previous paragraph, in addition to a minimum age of 25 years, he has to provide a certificate of competence in the form of a further IHK examination and furthermore to be in an orderly economic situation and to meet the requirements of reliability.
In order to avoid such legal uncertainties and to protect the cashiers from violent customers, the energy suppliers are working to keep the meters and house connections separate from the customers' premises or properties.
Web links
- "Then we close!" - Cashier on the way in Berlin , contribution by Spiegel TV
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b J. Jühling: Arc protection for cashiers . In: electrical practitioners . Volume 54 (2000), Issue 7, ISSN 0013-5569 , p. 579 , top left ( article for download [PDF; 92 kB ; accessed on December 31, 2019]).
