Recent prosecutions: Company fined £50,000 following electric shock incident

Following a serious electric shock incident, a scaffolding company has been slapped with a £50,000 fine and its director received a suspended prison sentence. A worker suffered an 11,000-volt electric shock while building a temporary roof scaffold. When moving a six-metre scaffold tube, the young father struck an 11kV power line. He sustained life-altering burns to his hands and fell more than five metres to the ground, severely breaking his leg.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the scaffolding company and its director had not adequately risk assessed the hazardous assembly job, and had not contacted the power network operator about line voltage and safe clearance.

The company received a £50,000 fine and its director was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Safety around high-voltage lines

Working near overhead power lines requires meticulous planning. Key steps include:

• Carry out a comprehensive site-specific risk assessment before starting any work, including additional dangers from other overhead and underground utilities.
• Ensure your risk assessment evaluates cable voltage and height, machinery size and reach, safe clearance distances, site and weather conditions, and your team's competence, training, and supervision.
• Contact the power network operator before starting any work near power lines.