POWER COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY OVER EXPLOSION DEATH

Maintenance work at electricity substation ended in tragedy

The Chelmsford Weekly News has reported that UK Power Networks has admitted health and safety offences following an explosion in which a workman died on 7th May 2008. It is reported that engineer John Higgins, aged 59, died during maintenance work at the Chelmsford North electricity substation.

Mr Higgins visited the substation after an alarm was triggered. He found a fault with voltage regulating equipment which works automatically, but can be operated manually to carry out maintenance. He was attempting to do this, using a handle, when the front cover exploded.

A post-mortem report found he died of burns and inhalation of toxic gases. He suffered 95 per cent burns caused by conact with burning oil poured produced during the flash fire.

The guilty plea was entered at Chelmsford Crown Court heard last week and the company will be sentenced in January 2013.

This article was posted on 30th October 2012 in ALL LATEST NEWS, electricity, PROSECUTIONS.
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POWER COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY OVER EXPLOSION DEATH

Maintenance work at electricity substation ended in tragedy

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