Prosecutions highlight dangers of overhead power lines

THE Health and Safety Executive last week warned companies to be aware of the serious risks resulting from contact with, or working in close proximity to, overhead power lines following the sentencing on 7 November, at St Albans Crown Court, of Lyons Landfill Ltd and Francis Michael Lyons (trading as Frank Lyons Plant Services) of Felstead, Essex.

Both the company and Mr Lyons were fined £80,000 each, and each ordered to pay £35,000 prosecution costs. The HSE’s prosecution followed a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Police into the death of self-employed lorry driver Nathaniel Hugh Scollan, who was visiting the combined quarry and landfill site at Hollingson Meads Quarry, near Harlow, on 10 September 2003.

While on site Mr Scollan was electrocuted when the grab of the crane mounted on his lorry came into contact with overhead power lines. The investigation revealed that Mr Scollan had parked beneath the overhead lines while waiting for a load of ballast from the quarry. He then apparently raised the lorry-mounted crane and sustained fatal injuries from the subsequent electric shock.

The court heard that the site itself was poorly laid out with stockpiles encroaching near the overhead lines, inadequate signs, poorly designed crossing points and inadequate measures taken to keep plant clear of the power lines.

HSE Principal Inspector, Mike Gibb, said: ‘This was a tragic death that could have easily been prevented. Operators of plant may make mistakes and all reasonably practicable steps should be taken to ensure their errors don’t result in loss of life or serious injury.

‘I encourage all employers to carefully plan and put into place sensible precautions to prevent workers, contractors or visitors to their site coming into contact with overhead power lines. Good management will reduce the risk of accidents happening.

‘It is also important to remember that vehicles or mobile plant do not need to strike the overhead line for injury to occur. Electricity can arc across a surprising distance depending on the voltage and conditions.’

Help and advice on putting in place safe procedures for working near overhead power lines is available from the HSE (HSE guidance note GS 6 gives detailed advice). The HSE recommends that where vehicles must work around live overhead power lines, barriers should be erected to prevent close approach and carefully designed and defined passageways should be created for plant to pass under the lines where this is essential.

Guidance on electricity in quarries and a leaflet about safe working near overhead power lines is available via the HSE website. Alternatively, call the HSE Infoline on tel: (0845) 345 0055; or fax: (02920) 859260.