HSE warn of dangers of using concrete diggers after man suffers burns

Date:

27 January 2009

Release No:

HSE/NW/035/09

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is demanding that companies follow safe working practices when using mechanical equipment.

The call follows HSE's prosecution of Trains (Rochdale) Limited after a worker received burns to his left hand and arm when he hit a live electrical cable.

The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 at Trafford Magistrates Court after being found guilty of breaching section 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

On 8 August 2007 an employee of Trains (Rochdale) Ltd, was operating a mechanical breaker (which breaks up concrete), at Nuttall Street, Rochdale. He was attempting to install a post and rail fence around a car park owned by Trains (Rochdale) Limited, located on the site of a row of demolished terrace houses. While breaking up the concrete he struck a buried live electrical cable receiving burns to his left hand and arm.

HSE investigating inspector Rosemary Leese-Weller said:

"This incident was easily avoidable. The employer had failed to provide plans of underground electrical cables and did not carry out scans of the area to locate any buried services.

"If the company had simply provided the plans, undertaken the scans and located the cable, digging in the area could have been avoided and this incident would never have occurred."

The HSE investigation showed that Trains (Rochdale) Limited failed to provide the employee with a copy of service plans, nor did it carry out a scan of the area which would have identified underground electrical cables.

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 4(3) of 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. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc, says: It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.
3. For further information on health and safety in the construction industry see: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm

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