WATCH – recycling company fined as worker suffers burns to body and face from levering live cables with a crowbar

Andy Hubbert
By Andy Hubbert
Published 14th May 2024, 15:12 BST
Updated 14th May 2024, 17:52 BST
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A worker suffered burns to his face and body after the crowbar he was using to lever cables came into contact with a live electrical conductor.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted a Sleaford area waste management company following the incident which was reported on July 14, 2021.

According to the HSE, the man was moving heavy duty electrical cables with a metal crowbar on a mobile elevating working platform when the bar came into contact with the live conductor, causing an electrical explosion at Copper Hill industrial estate, on Ermine Street, Barkston Heath.

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As well as suffering serious burns, the explosion caused the man to fall from the platform and sustain a broken left arm, fractured ribs and dislocated knee cap.

The scene of the incident at Barkston Heath where a recycling company worker was injured using a raised platform. Photo: HSEThe scene of the incident at Barkston Heath where a recycling company worker was injured using a raised platform. Photo: HSE
The scene of the incident at Barkston Heath where a recycling company worker was injured using a raised platform. Photo: HSE

The worker had been contracted by New Earth Solutions (West) Limited, trading as Mid UK Recycling, to work at the firm’s recycling plant at Copper Hill industrial estate.

An investigation by HSE into the incident found this task was not part of the normal workload for the injured worker and that he had not received any training with regards to undertaking electrical work. The task had not been properly planned nor risk assessed and the electrical cables were not isolated before work began. In addition, the level of supervision provided was deemed by the HSE to be inadequate and safety devices on the electrical supply had been set inappropriately, prioritising continuity of supply over safety of the electrical circuit.

New Earth Solutions (West) Limited, of Station Road, Caythorpe, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £12,466.60 in costs at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on May 10.

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Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Tim Nicholson said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by properly planning the task, ensuring that all workers involved were suitably competent and making sure that electrical conductors were isolated before the work began.

The worker caused an explosion while levering cables with a crowbar. Photo: HSEThe worker caused an explosion while levering cables with a crowbar. Photo: HSE
The worker caused an explosion while levering cables with a crowbar. Photo: HSE

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

New Earth Solutions (West) Limited, trading as Mid UK Recycling, based at Caythorpe, have been approached for comment on the outcome of the investigation.