A Very good question but one I have no answer for.  One such 'Engineer' got killed last year as I recall.  The poor chap was trained on the machine (I beleive) but there was aLine to earth-fault within.  Sadley his testing was not that good and he didn't spot it.  He then plugged the washer into the kitchen socket outlet that was a DIY job that had no earth path.

'Engineer' then switches on the machine, the  frame becomes live but the fault has no path to follow to switch the circuit breaker/fuse off and then said 'engineers' puts hand on the machine and the other hand on the earthed  water pipe and the circuit is complete (for a short time).

The engineer died.  I think he was 22 years old.

Hello Safetybuzz,

for my monies worth, someone undertaking those types of repairs i would think should have BS7671, domestic electrics course and a suitable white goods course. Taking into account their skills knowledge and experience of such repairs is also another thing to look for (as might their incident/accident rate?). I've met a few engineers in my time , and whilst being academically brilliant, aren't always so good at the practical stuff (which is what is also required when repairing the drum on your washing machine etc).

Walker I agree completely. This is unlikely to be fully chartered Engineers undertaking this work. But this does bring us back to full circle again as to what qualification a washing machine repair person should have?

Does each manufacturer provide bespoke training on their equipment?

In which caes do we get approved or accredited Whirlpool/Zanussi/Indesit/Hotpoint, etc. maintenance repair engineers.

Originally Posted by: WatsonD

Walker I agree completely. This is unlikely to be fully chartered Engineers undertaking this work. But this does bring us back to full circle again as to what qualification a washing machine repair person should have?

Does each manufacturer provide bespoke training on their equipment?

In which caes do we get approved or accredited Whirlpool/Zanussi/Indesit/Hotpoint, etc. maintenance repair engineers.

I was trying to make a point; they ain't engineers. 

Just like the hospital porter is not a medical consultant.

And dare I say it: a bloke with a 5 day managing safely certificate isn't a safety practitioner.

Its no coincidence a country like germany where the title engineer has protected status they have people who want to be engineers.