Summary
On 21 May 2024, Paul Taylor, an employee of Liverpool-based City Fencing Contractors Limited, sustained severe electric shock and burns while installing security fencing at a synagogue in Manchester. The incident occurred when Mr Taylor struck a live underground cable with a breaker. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the company had failed to implement adequate controls to identify and manage the risks posed by underground services. Consequently, at Warrington Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026, the company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25(4) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The firm was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £5,487 in costs.
Analysis
This case highlights a critical failure in following established health and safety protocols regarding excavation and groundworks. The HSE’s findings emphasise that relying on site plans is insufficient, as these documents only provide an indication of service locations. The core of the failure lay in the lack of a “safe system of work,” which necessitates three pillars: planning, detection through competent cable tracing, and safe digging practices.
The prosecution underscores the legal responsibility of contractors to ensure that underground services are physically located and clearly marked before any work begins. The financial penalty and the severity of the injuries serve as a stark reminder that neglecting pre-excavation surveys—specifically the use of locating devices by competent persons—is a breach of statutory duty that can lead to life-changing injuries or fatalities.
Article Link: Fencing contractor fined after employee suffers electric shock and burns – HSE Media Centre