Dangers of electrical equipment highlighted by HSE
Carrying out checks on electrical equipment and ensuring that staff are using it properly has been highlighted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as vital for companies operating equipment.
Speaking after a hearing which saw Tecvac Limited fined after one of its workers suffered an electric shock, HSE inspector Alison Ashworth said working with electricity is dangerous and the incident could have been avoided if preventative steps were taken.
The incident saw the company being fined £3,500 and ordered to pay costs by Cambridge Magistrate's Court.
"They could have prevented access to the live parts of the cables, insulated them or ensured that stored electrical energy had been discharged," Ms Ashworth said.
As well as providing the right protective workwear and safety gloves to employees, companies need to ensure that all of their equipment is operating properly.
Under Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, every work activity, including the use of machinery, should happen in a way as not to give rise to danger, as far as is reasonably practicable.
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