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Large fine imposed after safe electrical maintenance systems fail to protect
Celsa Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, of Cardiff has been fined £80k after the company failed to properly safeguard high voltage electrical conductors.
Electrician Henry Truszkowski sustained serious burns whilst cleaning conductors and circuit breaker units in a control room at Celsa’s Castle Works plant on 31 July 2008.
He was working alone when he came in to contact with exposed, live electrical conductors and suffered a 33,000 volt shock. Cardiff Crown Court heard that when carrying out maintenance the room would normally be securely isolated to prevent the re-energising of the conductors.
However, HSE investigators found on this occasion, that had not happened resulting in the ”massive electric shock”. He was hospitalised for several weeks and is yet to return to work.
Correct safe working practices not in place
Precautions had not been taken to prevent employees coming in to contact with the electrical conductors.
Celsa Manufacturing (UK) Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to properly safeguard high voltage electrical conductors under HSW Act Section 2(1), was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs.
HSE inspector Steve Curry said:
“Had Celsa Manufacturing (UK) ensured correct and safe working practices were in operation, the serious injuries Mr Truszkowski suffered may have been avoided.
This incident need not have occurred, and must serve as a notice to other employers of the need to control risks from high voltage electrical equipment.”