Safety warning after Lancashire workers get 11,000-volt shock

Date:

15 October 2009

Release No:

HSE/NW/025Huntapac/09

Outdoor workers in Lancashire are being urged to take extra care near overhead electricity lines after two men suffered 11,000-volt electric shocks and burns.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the warning following the successful prosecution of Huntapac Produce Ltd in relation to an incident at Marsh Farm in Hesketh Bank near Preston.

Huntapac, which grows, packs and distributes root vegetables, was charged with two health and safety offences. It was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,881 at Ormskirk Magistrates' Court on 15 October 2009.

The Huntapac site, where the incident occurred

The court heard that two employees were lifting a metal ladder into a water pump shaft on 12 December 2007 when it made contact with the 11,000 volt overhead power lines. One of the men fell unconscious and suffered electrical burns to a hand and both his feet. The other man's feet were also badly burned.

HSE Inspector Matt Lea said: "Both these men are lucky to be alive following this incident, which could easily have been prevented.

"Huntapac should have made sure a simple health and safety check was carried out at the site before work was allowed to start. If this had happened, it would have been obvious that the overhead electricity line could be a potential danger.

"I hope this case will remind companies how important it is for health and safety checks to take place ahead of work starting at a new site. Without them, employers are putting the lives of their staff at risk."

Huntapac, which is based on Blackgate Lane in Tarleton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 by allowing its employees to carry out work in a potentially dangerous manner.

The company also pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by failing to assess the health and safety risks sufficiently.

Around 1,000 people are injured every year from electric shocks while at work in the UK, and about 25 people die from their injuries. Carrying out unsafe work near overhead power cables is one of the main causes of deaths and injuries.

More information on preventing accidents is available at Electrical safety at work.

Notes to editors

1. 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."
2. Regulation 3(1)(a) 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."

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