A fencing contractor has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after one of its employees suffered an electric shock while working on a construction site.
The employee was using a breaker to dig into the ground as part of preparations to install security fencing. He struck a live underground cable, causing an electric shock. He sustained burn injuries to his arms, chest and stomach.
An investigation by the HSE found that the contractor had failed to implement suitable and sufficient controls to prevent risk from underground services.
The contractor pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25(4) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,487.