Firm fined for power line incident
26th November 2010A major South East potato supplier has been fined £10,000 after one of its employees suffered serious injuries from an electric shock.
David McMullan, 20, was lifting an irrigation pipe at a farm run by Waldersley Farms Ltd when it made contact with a 33,000-volt overhead power line.
The worker suffered severe burns and internal injuries in the incident at Crouchmoor Farm in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, last year. He later had to have his big toe amputated.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Waldersley Farms Limited following an investigation.
It found that a lack of training and information given to employees contributed to the incident. There had also been no assessment on how to carry out the work safely.
The firm admitted breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £2,223.38 in costs at Ely Magistrates Court.
IBB Solicitors has built a reputation for quality of service in pursuing compensation in cases involving accident, illness or death. If you would like advice on personal injury issues, you can contact a member of IBB’s Personal Injury team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.
