Overhead Power Cables Cause Injury to Worker, Company Fined
The HSE has reminded employers making use of machinery near overhead power cables of the risks associated with the same, after an employee suffered serious burns while operating his truck near overhead cables at a Staffordshire waste site in 2008.
Andrew Perry, an employee with Fallows Recycling Services, was operating his truck to pick waste material. When he applied the control lever to extend the arm of his truck, the arm touched a set of 33,000-volt overhead electric cables. Consequently a bolt of electricity conducted by the metal body of the vehicle ran through his body, which resulted in burn injuries to his hand and feet.
HSE inspector Lynne Boulton said following the incident that the employee was fortunate enough to survive, as the injuries could have been much more serious. However, the employers should keep in mind that it is not necessary for machinery to touch cables for such accidents as electricity can travel through open spaces in the form of loops or arcs.
She also pointed out that in this case there were no suitable barriers or warning signs to keep the machine operator away from the risk zone. Though these were put in place after the incident, their absence before the accident cannot be pardoned.
The owner of the site and proprietor of Fallows Recycling Services, John Rowland Fallows, pleaded guilty for violation of Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 before the magistrate at Newcastle-under-Lyme Court. He was fined to the tune of £1,600 and was asked to pay costs of £2,214.
It is necessary for employers to keep up-to-date with health and safety regulations that can save employees from serious injury and avoid court procedures that can cost companies many thousands of pounds. Visit the Workplace Law website for all the information on accredited NEBOSH and IOSH training , including iosh e-learning, which can help companies to avoid falling foul of health and safety legalities.
