An investigation into a work incident in which a 19-tear-old trainee design engineer was killed has led to a Bedford firm being handed a fine of £300,000.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted Grundfos Pumps Limited of Leighton Buzzard in Bedford, after 19-year-old Jake Herring died after he came into contact with a live 3 phase electrical system.
When the incident occurred on 30 March 2009, Jake was carrying our electrical testing work at the Grundfos Pumps Ltd factory in Windsor – and was working unsupervised whilst testing a live electrical control panel.
The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the incident and found that an unsafe system of work had caused the trainee’s death.
HSE inspectors found that Grundfos Pumps Ltd had not adequately risk assessed the testing of live electrical panels to identify a safe system of work.
The company had also failed to provide suitable training and supervision to undertake 3 phase live testing.
On Monday 11 May 2015 at Reading Crown Court, Grundfos Pumps was fined £300,000, with total costs of £115,000, after pleading guilty to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 3, (1) (a), and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Reg 3, (1)(a), contrary to Regulation 14.
Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, Paul Williams, said:
“This tragic incident could and should have been avoided.
“Grundfos Pumps Limited’s failure to adequately risk assess the electrical testing process led to an unsafe system work being in place.
“Training and supervision arrangements were clearly inadequate.
“If live electrical testing has to be undertaken, suitable precautions must be in place.”
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