Contractors warned after worker electrocuted
Construction
28th October 2008
Electrical contractors have been warned about the dangers of their trade after a man died when he came into contact with a live conductor.
Michael Adamson, 26, lost his life after being electrocuted while working on electric cables.
Mitie Engineering Services was fined £300,000 after being found guilty of beaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Two company directors and a project manager were acquitted of charges relating to the incident.
Jim Skilling, a principal inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), comment "The HSE has found that across the electrical contracting industry there is widespread violation of the safe working practices."
Each year, around 2,000 workplace incidents involving an electrical injury take place, with around 20 resulting in death.
The HSE described the industry's complacency in confronting the problem as "startling".
Firms can avoid litigation by implementing proper safety measures and acquiring an employers' liability insurance policy.
