HSE warns employers after two Norfolk teenagers seriously injured by electric shocks

Date:

14 October 2009

Release No:

HSE/E/23

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to ensure they look after young workers, after two Norfolk teenagers suffered electric shocks while working on a farm near Thetford.

One of the teenagers had to have his little toe and part of his big toe amputated from his left foot. He has also been left with long scars where cuts were made to relieve the pressure build-up in his legs.

Bowes of Norfolk Ltd, of Brandon Road, Watton, Norfolk, was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £23,095 costs, plus £600 in compensation, after a hearing at Norwich Crown Court today (Wednesday 14 October). It admitted breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulations 3(1) and 19(1) of the Management Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (protection of young workers) and Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

The incident occurred on 23 May 2007, when two teenagers were working at the Hilborough Pig Unit of Bowes Farm, at the Hilborough Estate, Swaffham Road, Great Cressingham.

A 16-year-old employee was helping another teenager load straw, working together in a field on the farm. The second teenager, a 17-year-old, was using the telescopic mechanical arm of a telehandler to grab the straw and lift it into the back of a trailer.

When they stopped work for a moment the telehandler's mechanical arm was released and rose upwards, coming into contact with overhead power lines carrying 11,000 volts of electricity. The 16-year-old was holding onto the front cage of the vehicle's cab at the time and received an electric shock which could have killed him. The telehandler driver went to help him and received a shock powerful enough to throw him back into his seat.

The younger boy was airlifted to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital before being transferred to the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Medical staff operated to relieve high pressure in his legs and he was left with two long scars on both legs. His left foot was also damaged where the electricity exited his body. Doctors had to amputate his small toe and remove part of his big toe after further damage caused by electricity arcing over the metal toe cap of his boot.

The 17-year-old had also suffered an electric shock and spent the night under observation in the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital. Fortunately he had no serious injures.

HSE Inspector, Joanne Williams, said: "I hope this incident makes it clear how important it is to look after young and vulnerable employees. Employers must ensure young staff, in particular those under 17, are given adequate training and supervision when starting a new job.

"Young employees are particularly vulnerable to accidents, so it is vital they are adequately supervised, especially when working around high hazards such as overhead power lines. Too many people are dying in needless accidents on British farms. In the last ten years, 455 people went out in the morning and never came home. This incident could have easily proved fatal.

"There is plenty of advice and guidance available both from industry and HSE to help companies comply with the law and keep those working on farms safe. The HSE is currently providing free Agriculture Safety and Health Awareness Days and I would strongly suggest employers consider attending these, and receive the advice that could save a life. The HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a way."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
2. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states: "Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking."
3. Regulation 19(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states: "Every employer shall ensure that young persons employed by him are protected at work from any risks to their health or safety which are a consequence of their lack of experience, or absence of awareness of existing or potential risks or the fact that young persons have not yet fully matured."
4. Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states: "Every work activity, including operation, use and maintenance of a system and work near a system, shall be carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as is reasonably practicable, to danger."
5. For further information on the safe use of electricity at work see Electrical safety at work and for risk assessments see Risk management - health and safety in the workplace

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR East.