Skip to content

Warehouse management company fined after employee killed in electrical incident

Warehouse management company fined after employee killed in electrical incident

A warehouse management solutions company has been fined after an employee was electrocuted while servicing an air compressor.

Aldershot Magistrates’

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard that on 8 December 2017, Andrew Meade was carrying out pre-planned maintenance on an air compressor at a distribution centre in Gravesend, when he was electrocuted. He was not found for more than an hour following the incident. His injuries were fatal.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the control measures in place to prevent contact with electricity during maintenance activities were not suitable or sufficient. The electrical systems had not been tested or visually inspected since installation, and an incorrect isolating switch had not been identified.

Logistex Limited of Kettering Parkway, Kettering, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £180,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £23,358.16.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Joanne Williams said: “Poorly maintained electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances can kill or severely injure people; and cause damage to property.

“This was a wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement safe systems of work and identify the risks. Had the company identified the correct isolation point for the compressor and ensured that employees were sufficiently trained and supervised in the lock off procedures expected of them then this fatal incident would not have occurred.”

‘This was a wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement safe systems of work and identify the risks. Had the company identified the correct isolation point for the compressor and ensured that employees were sufficiently trained and supervised in the lock off procedures expected of them then this fatal incident would not have occurred’

Source of information: HSE, Warehouse management company fined after employee killed in electrical incident.  Thursday 1st July 2021. Click here to read the original article. 

About Plant and Safety Limited

Plant and Safety Limited are the UK trading business for the LB International Group, which operates from the Middle East, and Africa. Plant and Safety are national providers of Inspection, Testing, Certification, Lifting Equipment, and Training Services on equipment within the work place. This includes electrical Equipment,  lifting equipment, work equipment, plant equipment, and access equipment. 

T: 0330 113 7920

E: sales@plantandsafety.co.uk

Plant and Safety Ltd, Birmingham Road, Shenstone, Staffordshire, WS14 0LB

EICR Report, Electrical Installation Condition Report, EICR Test, NICEIC, EICR, EICR Report, Electrical Installation Condition Report, EICR Test, NICEIC, EICR, EICR Report, Electrical Installation Condition Report, EICR Test, NICEIC, EICR, EICR Report, Electrical Installation Condition Report, EICR Test, NICEIC, EICR,