Employers fined after worker injured from double risk

COI/W/480/09 17 September 2009

Construction companies must assess and manage the risks from overhead power lines and working at height, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said, after three employers were prosecuted for an incident in which a worker received an electric shock and subsequently fell from a roof he was working on.

Thomas Bates was working on the construction of a poultry shed directly under a 11kV overhead line at a farm at Rhiew Banc, Bwlch y Ffridd, Newtown when the incident occurred on 7 March 2006.

Mr Bates was carrying metal roofing material, which either contacted the power line or came in close proximity to it. The electric shock resulted in burns to his body and he collapsed and rolled off the roof, falling around 2.5 metres to the ground below.

Three employers all pleaded guilty to one charge each under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 during a hearing at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on 14 August.

John Bowler Ltd of Badger Farm, Willow Put Lane, Hilton, Derbyshire was the principal contractor for the job and were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £5,408.40

Harlow Bros Ltd of Hathern Road, Long Whatton, Loughborough were the building supplier and contractor for the erector of the building and were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6171.60.

Philip James Bates- the father of Thomas Bates - of Sleaford was subcontracted to build the shed and was fined £12,000 with costs of £2,062.40.

HSE Inspector Chris Wilcox said:

"Despite his injuries, Thomas Bates was fortunate to survive a shock from an 11kV overhead power line, let alone the subsequent fall from the shed roof.

"This incident was entirely avoidable. There should have been thorough risk assessments carried out by the employers in this case, and suitable precautions taken.

"There was also no edge protection around the edge of the roof, so there was clearly a much higher risk of falls from height.

Nationally, around 1000 electrical accidents at work are reported to HSE each year and about 25 people die of their injuries.

Falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality.

Notes to editors

1. More information on working near overhead power lines can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
2. Information and guidance on safe working at height can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

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