When absolutely everyone is at risk because absolutely everyone uses electricity
What happened?
A Polish agency worker was removing a metal-rimmed bucket from below a waste-disposal unit in the kitchen of a pub restaurant when she suffered a severe electric shock.
The unit had been taken out of use as it continually suffered blockages, but it was not safely isolated. A live electrical cable was protruding from the control box, and either her hand or the bucket came into contact with the wire. She fell to the floor and lost consciousness for a short time. She was found by a colleague who called an ambulance. She had been unable to return to work owing to her injuries.
One month earlier, the same worker had suffered a less severe shock from the unit when she tried to move the bucket. She reported the incident to the restaurant’s management but no remedial action was taken.
The council investigated the later incident and issued an improvement notice, which required the restaurant to carry out a proper inspection of the electrical equipment in the kitchen.
Legal Outcome
The company pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974 and reg.4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It was fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £6675.
After the hearing, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment said: “There was a clear potential in this case for serious injury and it was a matter of sheer luck that the employee did not receive a fatal electric shock. It’s important that employers do not become complacent about the use and maintenance of electrical systems.”
What can we learn from what happened?
The comment from the council is pertinent here. Exposure to live wires can be fatal, even at 240V, so the level of fine is a reflection of the potential severity, and should send a message to everyone (because absolutely everyone uses electricity) that all equipment must be inspected and remedial action taken as necessary by a competent person.
Source of Information
SHP Online