Employee received a shock whilst insulating live wires

An employee received a 650 Volt ac. electric shock when he picked up a cable lying on the ground that was connected to a generator and began to apply insulating tape to exposed wires.

Action

His employers were prosecuted under The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (No 16), and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (No 4) paragraph 3, and fined £15,000.

Comment

People who undertake work on electrical equipment or installations should be competent to do so. Those in control of work should instruct workers only to undertake work they are competent for, and workers should ensure they do likewise.