What's new at HSE » Electricity

Grangemouth company fined after worker gets 3,300-volt electric shock

HSE — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:19 +0000

A Grangemouth-based company has been fined for breaching health and safety law after a worker was burned by live power cables. HSE prosecuted refinery and petrochemical company Ineos Manufacturing Scotland Ltd for failing to ensure a safe system of work was in place before undertaking excavation work near live electrical cables.

View press release Grangemouth company fined after worker gets 3,300-volt electric shock

Safety warning after Lancashire workers get 11,000-volt shock

HSE — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Outdoor workers in Lancashire are being urged to take extra care near overhead electricity lines after two men suffered 11,000-volt electric shocks and burns.

View safety warning after Lancashire workers get 11,000-volt shock press release

Building firms fined after scaffolder burnt by power cables

HSE — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:28 +0000

HSE is warning builders to be careful when working near overhead power cables after a scaffolder was seriously injured on a site in Worcestershire.

View building firms fined after scaffolder burnt by power cables press release

HSE warns employers after two teenagers injured by electric shocks

HSE — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:45:04 +0000

HSE has warned companies to ensure they look after young workers, after two Norfolk teenagers suffered electric shocks while working on a farm near Thetford.

View HSE warns employers after two teenagers injured by electric shocks press release

Safety alert - Laptop computer charging trolleys

HSE — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:45:47 +0000

HSE is issuing this safety alert for the attention of schools that use laptop computer charging trolleys and those who manufacture / supply such products. This is to raise awareness of the potential electrical dangers and the steps to take to protect staff and pupils.

View laptop computer charging trolleys safety alert

HSE Podcast - emerging energy technologies

HSE — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:00:13 +0000

In this episode: HSE’s Taf Powell talks about HSE’s contribution to ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy for Britain in the future.

Listen to the podcast

Electric shock for welder prompts HSE to encourage maintenance

HSE — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:36 +0000

HSE is calling on factory owners in Lincolnshire to regularly maintain their electrical systems after an incident at a Whaplode company.

View electrical systems press release

Electricity risk warning after worker suffers shock

HSE — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:00:32 +0000

HSE is warning employers to be wary of operating machinery near overhead power cables after a Staffordshire man suffered serious burns when he was hit by an electrical charge.

View electricity risk press release

HSE warns about dangers of working close to overhead power lines

HSE — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:40:56 +0000

HSE today warned about the dangers of working close to overhead power lines, after a Perthshire soft fruit farming company and its owner were prosecuted following the electrocution of a Polish worker.

Mr Gerard Faltynowski, 26, died on 28 July 2006 after metal extension poles he was using to construct the steel frame of a polytunnel came into contact with an 11,000 volt overhead electricity power line on farm land near Blairgowrie.

View dangers of working close to overhead power lines press release

Slips and trips workshop

HSE — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:50:48 +0000

A slips and trips workshop will take place in the National Motor Cycle Museum, Birmingham on 11 June 2009. This workshop is part of the HSE’s “Shattered Lives” campaign, which is aimed primarily at those most at risk of a slip, trip or fall at work and those best placed to take action.

View slips and trips workshop details

Local authority fined after employee suffers electric shock at work

HSE — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:40:08 +0000

HSE is urging employers to ensure proper safety procedures are in place to ensure staff are kept safe. The call follows the prosecution of the London Borough of Havering’s (LB) Street Care Department yesterday (19 May) at City of London Magistrates Court, after an employee was struck with an 11,000 volt cable buried in the pavement.

View employee suffers electric shock at work press release

Specialist Inspector vacancies

HSE — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:45:33 +0000

Details of three Specialist inspectors vacancies: Construction engineer, electrical engineer and mechanical engineering are now available. Closing date 26 May 2009.

View Special inspector vacancy details

Confined spaces warning after welder electrocuted in ship’s hold

HSE — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:40:19 +0000

HSE has issued a warning to employers to ensure they plan properly for working in confined spaces after a Norfolk welder was electrocuted when the ship’s hold he was working inside flooded with water.

View welder electrocuted in ship’s hold press release

The health and safety law poster

HSE — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:37:33 +0000

As from 6 April 2009, HSE is publishing new versions of its approved health and safety poster and leaflet. To avoid an unnecessary burden on business, HSE has set a five year transition period. The current poster and leaflets must be replaced by the new versions by no later than 5 April 2014.

Find out more about the new law poster

Council fined after a man suffers severe burns

HSE — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:55:07 +0000

HSE is demanding that companies follow safe working practices when using mechanical equipment. The call follows HSE’s prosecution of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and T Cartledge Ltd after a worker received severe burns when he hit a live electrical cable.

View council fined after man suffers severe burns press release

Ultra-violet radiation exposure from general light sources

HSE — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:22:06 +0000

HSE staff operational circular outlining issues concerning the use of low

ultra-violet (UV) light emissions from certain types of bulbs used for general workplace illumination – tungsten halogen lamps and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) also known as low-energy light bulbs;
the levels of ultra-violet radiation (UVR) exposure from the use of unfiltered tungsten halogen lamps and CFLs.

View OC 559/9 - Ultra-violet radiation exposure from general workplace light sources

Offshore Safety Notice SN1/2009: Explosion protected electrical heaters

HSE — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:58:16 +0000

In a recent incident on an offshore installation, there was an explosion in an open drains tank containing oily water. The tank contained an electric heater which was Ex certified. However, the sheath on the electric heating element had corroded, exposing the conductor. Although the incident is still being investigated, it is thought that this fault led to ignition of flammable material in the tank.

Read Offshore safety notice SN1/2009 in full

HSE reminds electrical contractors to use safe working practices

HSE — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:50:13 +0000

HSE has warned the electrical contracting industry of the tragic consequences which can result when safe working procedures are not practiced when working on live electrical systems, after Edinburgh company fined £300,000

Read the press release about safe working practices for electrical contractors

Small business owners - leadership advice

HSE — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:16:55 +0000

Advice specifically aimed at small and medium sized business leaders - how to plan, deliver, monitor and review to manage and reduce the risks in your organisation.

Advice for small and medium sized businesses

DVD: Signposts for health and safety

HSE — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:30:49 +0000

Originally broadcast on BBC2 as 10 half-hour programmes - a variety of small businesses show how they have successfully dealt with health and safety at work issues.

Visit the Signposts page and view extracts from the DVD