A fencing contractor has been fined after one of its employees suffered an electric shock and serious burn injuries when he struck a live underground cable while working on a construction site in Manchester.
Paul Taylor was employed by City Fencing Contractors Limited and was working at Meade Hill Road on 21 May 2024 as part of a team installing security fencing around the Meade Hill Shul synagogue.
The 59-year-old was using a breaker to excavate the ground in preparation for the installation of metal fencing posts when he struck a live underground electricity cable. The impact caused a powerful electric shock, leaving Mr Taylor with multiple burns to his stomach, chest and arms.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to take adequate precautions before excavation work commenced.
The dangers of underground services
Striking underground cables remains one of the most serious hazards on construction sites. Contact with live electrical services can result in severe burns, electric shock, life-changing injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.
Employers carrying out excavation or groundworks have a legal duty to identify and locate underground services before work begins. Appropriate surveys, plans, cable detection equipment and safe systems of work should be used to minimise the risk of workers coming into contact with buried services.
The HSE’s investigation found that City Fencing Contractors Limited had failed to ensure suitable arrangements were in place to safely identify underground cables before excavation work was undertaken.
As a result, the company was prosecuted and fined for breaches of health and safety legislation.
Employers have a duty to protect workers
Construction workers are frequently exposed to significant risks, particularly when carrying out excavation, demolition and groundwork activities. Employers have a responsibility to properly assess those risks and implement measures to protect employees from foreseeable harm.
When companies fail to follow basic safety procedures, the consequences can be devastating for workers and their families.
Injured at work?
If you have suffered an injury at work due to unsafe working practices, inadequate risk assessments or an employer’s failure to follow health and safety regulations, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
At WE Solicitors, our workplace injury team has helped workers across the UK make compensation claims following very serious accidents at work, including electrical injuries, construction site accidents and incidents involving unsafe systems of work.
If you would like to discuss a potential claim, contact WE Solicitors today for confidential advice from our specialist team.
