Firms Fined a Total of £130,000 After a Worker Suffers Electric Shock

It is reported by the Health and Safety Executive that two firms, one a farm and the other a contractor, have been fined a total of £130,000 after a construction worker suffered a severe electric shock from overhead power lines.

The self-employed steel erector from Norfolk was installing 2 poultry units, and at the time of the accident was using a scissor lift to clad the gable end of the steel frame, when it came into contact with an overhead power cable, giving the steel worker an 11 KV electric shock.

As a result of the accident, the steel worker suffered severe burns to his stomach and hands, as well as internal muscle damage when the incident occurred in June 2009.

The Health and Safety Executive reported to Luton Crown Court that the firms did not identify the risks of working near overhead cables (as the gable end of the structure was within 4.3m of the overhead cable), nor did it notify the relevant authorities.

The HSE report that it was only luck that the injuries were not fatal and ‘a lax attitude to health and safety is not acceptable’.

If you have suffered an accident at work which was not your fault and you feel your employer could have done something to prevent it, you may have a claim for compensation.  Employers have a duty of care over their employees; this duty is to protect them as far as possible from risks to their health and safety. If this duty is breached, they can face considerable fines from bodies such as the HSE as described above, and if their breaches have caused injury, be claimed against for personal injury.

If you feel that your employer is breaching their duty in some way then it is advisable to bring this breach to their attention. If they fail to act upon your reasonable requests, then it may be that you have to raise a grievance procedure with them.

If you have suffered an accident at work it is advisable to report it to a more senior member of staff, as an accident report may need to be filled out. You should then seek the advice of a specialist personal injury lawyer – many law firms will offer free claims assessments and advice so you have nothing to lose by discussing your situation and assessing your options.