Chelmsford: Power Company Fined Over Death

A power supplier has been ordered to pay £420,000 in fines and costs after the death of one of its workers.

Electrical engineer John Higgins, 59, from Colchester, was killed at an electrical substation in Bishops Hall Lane in Chelmsford on May 7, 2008, when a device he was working on, known as a transformer tap changer, exploded. 

UK Power Networks (Operations) Ltd, which supplies power to the east of England, London and the south east, admitted failing to ensure the safety of an employee at Chelmsford Crown Court. 

Today the court heard that the explosion caused a fire at the substation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. Mr Higgins died at the scene despite the arrival of Essex Fire and Rescue within minutes of the alarm being raised by staff from nearby Anglia Ruskin University. 

The incident also blacked out a large part of Chelmsford, including Broomfield Hospital. An HSE investigation found that UK Power Networks had failed to properly assess work with tap changers and had also failed to adequately train employees for carrying out this task. UK Power 

Networks has since introduced revised procedures to safeguard staff. The company was fined £275,000 with £145,000 in prosecution costs. 

After sentencing, HSE inspector Steven Gill said: "John Higgins lost his life in tragic circumstances that could have been avoided had this activity had been properly assessed and managed by UK Power Networks. 

"His death illustrates how dangerous work on or near electrical distribution networks can be, and how imperative it is that employers - large or small - ensure that all activities involving high voltage electrical equipment are properly assessed and that safe systems of work in place. 

"There is no room for error or complacency when working with high voltage equipment.'' 

A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said: ``We deeply regret the death of John Higgins who died in a work-related accident on May 7, 2008. 

"By our guilty plea entered at the earliest opportunity last year we acknowledged our responsibilities for what tragically happened on that day. 

"We reiterate our condolences to John's wife and children, wider family and friends.

"He was a well-liked and respected colleague with 35 years of valued service. 

"The health and safety of our staff and everyone affected by our work activities, is of paramount importance to UK Power Networks. 

"We strive to ensure all our workers return home from work safely, every day.''

"EDF Energy Networks, which owned the electricity network until October 2010, launched its own comprehensive investigation into the incident at the time", she added.