Tree Surgeon Injured After Mobile Lighting Tower Contact With Overhead Powerline

Brief Summary

An employer was prosecuted after a worker suffered a severe electric shock when a mobile lighting tower he was pushing made contact with an 11,000 volt overhead powerline during vegetation maintenance on a busy road. The HSE investigation found inadequate planning and risk assessment, and a failure to implement suitable control measures and training when the work was changed to night time.

What Was The Incident?

In the early hours of 19 January 2024, a team of three were clearing vegetation on the A3102 in Wiltshire. Shortly after midnight, the mobile lighting tower being pushed by a worker came into contact with an overhead powerline. The worker described his whole body locking and intense cramping, and later discovered burning damage to his arm and hip. He passed out and was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £6,237 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Plan and risk assess for overhead power lines before any night time work starts. Where equipment could reach overhead lines, identify the specific hazards and assess the risks, especially when working hours or working methods change.

Use effective control measures to prevent contact. HSE found suitable measures such as barriers or safety zones were not implemented, and this is critical to prevent mobile equipment contacting overhead power lines.

Provide clear instruction and training for safe operation of mobile equipment. The employer did not provide suitable instruction or training on operating the mobile lighting tower, which should include safe arrangements to maintain clearance distances.

Review work methods when equipment and conditions change. The work was planned to be done after dark to support traffic flow, requiring a mobile lighting tower, yet overhead power line controls were not properly considered after the method change.

Ensure work is properly supervised and controlled near live electrical hazards. HSE guidance emphasises that work near overhead power lines should be properly planned, supervised and reviewed to confirm controls remain effective during the operation.

HSE Prosecution Link