An underground 415 Volt electrical supply was damaged during excavation work to provide new sewage drains during office renovation work. A labourer received burns to his torso & arm. The company contacted the local electricity distributor who advised that a locator should be used if digging in the archway. None was used.
The company was prosecuted under The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1996 (No 12) paragraph 8 and fined.
The downloadable HSE booklet Avoiding danger from underground services gives guidance on how to work near underground services.
