INCIDENTS: SPATE ‘PAVEMENT EXPLOSIONS’ INVESTIGATED

Pavement explosions injure at least seven pedestrians in recent months

It has been reported by the London Standard that a series of pavement explosions has injured at least seven pedestrians in London in recent months. The report follows a case in which a woman suffered 20 per cent burns. HSE are now investigating and are understood to be aware of a number of ‘pavement explosions’ over the the past 19 months.

A solicitor representing one victim told the Standard that UK Power Networks was denying all liability adding:

“They are saying there was a build up of gases which was beyond their control. This defies logic, if that was the case it would be happening all over the place. It is not good enough to just say ‘oh well, these cases happen.’ This may be their usual defence and people go away. These gases do not just explode on their own, there must be a fault in their system. “

UK Power Networks spokesman told the Standard:

“We would like to reiterate that events are unusual. The safety of our staff and customers is our main priority. We undertake a robust programme of regular checks and maintenance on our overhead lines and underground cables plus associated equipment. “

A HSE spokesperson commented:

“HSE aware of a number of other incidents in the London area in recent years involving exploding utility equipment, including pit covers and electrical boxes. The majority of these incidents did not result in injury, and were attributed to electrical faults and/or gas leaks. They were investigated with UK Power Networks.

Our prime focus at this time is an ongoing investigation into the latest incident on Edgware Road. We cannot comment or speculate on what caused this particular explosion.”

This article was posted on 25th July 2012 in ALL LATEST NEWS, FIRE & EXPLOSION, INCIDENTS.
PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.

Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

INCIDENTS: SPATE ‘PAVEMENT EXPLOSIONS’ INVESTIGATED

Pavement explosions injure at least seven pedestrians in recent months

Latest Construction Health and Safety News

HSE TO OVERSEE NEW BUILDING SAFETY REGIME

Government to deliver biggest change in building safety for a generation

CONTRACTS MANAGER HANDED TWO YEAR PRISON TERM

Safety fall arrest netting would have saved life of deceased workman

WORKER FATALLY INJURED BY CONCRETE BEAM

Lifting operation not properly planned, managed and supervised

TREE FELLING OPERATIONS LACKED DEFINED COMMS

Workman struck by falling tree inside “normal” exclusion zone

CONTRACTOR ARRESTED OVER WELFARE FAILINGS

Recalcitrant sole trader failed to attend court hearing

MAJOR DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR FINED £500,000

Collapse of concrete slab caused death of worker and excavator fall

FALL FROM LADDER WHILST CARRYING BUCKET

Contractor failed to provide basic safe lifting aids

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HSE NOTICE PROVES COSTLY

Director given suspended jail term and company fined £60,000

DEVELOPER FAILED TO PLAN AND CHECK COMPETENCE

Fall caused by ad-hoc working methods and lack of monitoring

CYLINDER LEAK TEST CAUSED FATAL INJURIES

Corrosion inhibitor triggered failure and shrapnel ejection

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS

JAIL TERM FOLLOWS ROUTINE HSE SPOT CHECK

Director of a roofing firm handed a suspended prison sentence

TEENAGER FELL 3M DURING BLOCK AND BEAM WORK

Workers uninstructed and left to devise own safe system of work

PARCEL CARRIER FINED HEAVILY OVER FLT INCIDENT

Reversing fork lift lacked segregation from pedestrians

CONTRACTOR FINED OVER FLOOR OPENING FALL

Thorough risk assessment and edge protection were both inadequate

THREE WORKERS “CARRIED ALONG” IN SEWER INCIDENT

Mentally affected and one man treated for long-term traumatic stress

SOLAR FIRM AND DIRECTOR SENTENCED OVER DEATH

Brother of business owner died in fall during panel installation

DIRECTOR AND COMPANY FINED FOR ASBESTOS RISK

HSE refurbishment campaign inspection revealed asbestos offences

BULK BAG COLLAPSE CAUSED BY UNSAFE STACKING

Bulk bag collapsed onto workman when struck by fork lift

INTERLOCKED GUARD NOT WORKING TO ISOLATE POWER

Two workmen seriously injured when plant started unexpectedly

STREET FURNITURE RISK TO PUBLIC FINED £1.4M

Council prosecuted following injury to child playing on hinged bollard

WORKMEN SUFFER SERIOUS BURNS FROM CABLE STRIKE

Assessment and system of work failed to appreciate electrical risk

LADDERS WERE INAPPROPRIATE FOR WORK ON ROOF

Workman paralysed after falling whilst installing roof ladder

FIRM FAILED TO MANAGE EXHAUST VENTILATION

HSE enforcement notices on wood dust and welding fume ignored

RECALCITRANT DIRECTOR BARRED FROM OFFICE

Dangerous telehandler used despite earlier fatality and enforcement

News Archives