![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
INQUEST: DEFECTIVE RCD FAILED TO PROTECT PLUMBER
Combination of 
circumstances caused death by electrocution
It has been reported by the Bucks Free Press that an inquest has heard how a plumber died after being electrocuted as he carried out work the home of his ‘boss’. Lukasz Sobala, 36, was electrocuted as he installed copper piping on the outside a property in Chartridge, Herts in August 2013.
HSE electrical systems expert, Andrew Pitt, told the inquest an earth fault in the kitchen ring main circuit caused the voltage to “shoot up in the main earth terminal”. This resulted in all the connected conducting material attached to the terminal – including the boiler and piping on which Mr Sobala was working on – becoming live.
The Residual Currant Device (RCD) on the consumer unit was also defective and failed to trip, allowing the current to continue to flow.
The Beaconsfield Coroner heard Mr Sobala had been relocating the boiler in the house before Gas Safe-registered fitter install the boiler. The copper pipe was not connected to the meter box but it was connected to the boiler which was switched off at the mains.
HSE were unable to locate exactly where the electric fault occurred but said “anyone that made contact with copper and ‘true earth’ at the property at that time of the fault would have been at risk”.
A jury decided upon a narrative verdict after about 30 minutes of deliberation. It read:
“Lukasz Sobala was installing copper pipework on the exterior of the building. At some stage, a fundamental earth fault in the kitchen ring main circuit occurred resulting in a voltage rise of the main earth terminal. This caused the voltage to rise on all items of conducting materials attached to the terminal, making the boiler and copper pipework live.
Mr Sobala, whilst holding the copper pipe and due to contact with the ground, was electrocuted. The RCD on the Consumer Unit should have tripped, stopping current flow, but it was defective and failed to operate.”
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
ROOF FALL CAUSES LIFE CHANGING INJURIES
Inadequate planning and absence of necessary equipment caused fall
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th June 2017LIFT PLANNING AND CONTROL FOUND WANTING
Female building worker struck by scaffold fittings tipped from stillage
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th June 2017FATALITY: CRANE COLLAPSE ON HOMES PROJECT
Two workmen die in crane collapse in Crewe
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd June 2017BUILD UK EXPLAINS PROJECT H&S TRAINING STANDARD
UK contractors clarify skill cards needed on CDM 2015 projects
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 21 JUNE 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2017CIVILS FIRMS PAYS PRICE OVER PUBLIC DANGER
Fencing wire struck member of public relaxing in own garden
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 20th June 2017DELAYED RESCUE CONTRIBUTED TO DEATH AT HEIGHT
MEWP operator died trapped between controls and roof beam
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 20th June 2017CLIENT FINED UNDER CDM 2007 & CDM 2015
Construction work must be properly managed from outset
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th June 2017WORKMAN BURNED WHILST CUTTING LIVE CABLE
Firms to pay £500,000 over unsafe system for electrical work
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th June 2017WORKMAN CHEATS DEATH IN 8M ROOFLIGHT FALL
Steel fabricators fined over unsafe short-term roofwork
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th June 2017HOMES FIRM DIRECTOR CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER
Excavation collapse dangers ignored by director and digger operator
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th June 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 14th JUNE 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th June 2017BOSS AND FOREMAN CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER
Safety standards allowed to fall despite HSE enforcement action
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th June 2017WORK AT HEIGHT ADVANCES HIGHLIGHTED AT EXPO
Access Industry Forum (AIF) puts height safety first at Expo 2017
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th June 2017PRICE OF NON-COMPLIANCE RISES STEADILY
Roofing company fined £80,000 for ignoring advice and HSE notice
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th June 2017MANUAL HANDLING OFFENCE FINED £67,000
Significant risk in handling excavator wheel not avoided or assessed
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 8th June 2017COMPANY RELIED UPON EXPERIENCED WORKERS
Lack of precautions to prevent fall through fragile rooflight
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2017CLIENT FAILED TO APPOINT COMPETENT CONTRACTOR
Contractor receives prison term whilst CDM client fined £160,000
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2017PUZZLES HELP DELIVER CITB AND NEBOSH COURSES
Innovative new tool available to support effective H&S training
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2017NEW DUMPER TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY
Manufacturer promises greater visibility, stability and operator protection
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 7th JUNE 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2017NEW GUIDE ON GUILTY PLEA SENTENCING
Sentencing Council guidelines may assist corporate H&S offenders
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th June 2017MAJOR CONTRACTOR RESPONDS TO ‘BEARDS BAN’ BLAST
Union calls for dust elimination and consultation before imposing ban
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th June 2017CONSTRUCTION DEATHS TUMBLE IN 2016/17
Latest HSE latest records suggests substantial drop in worker fatalities
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th June 2017WRONGLY INSTALLED MACHINE SEVERED HAND
Manufacturer instructions not followed during saw installation
Posted on 2nd June 2017
