Firm Fined Following Electrocution

A Hatfield firm has been fined £35,000 after a young father was electrocuted. SF (UK) Ltd, the engineering arm of British Gas, was also ordered to pay £65,000 costs at St Albans Crown Court.

On 7 June 2005, SF (UK) Ltd engineer Ricky Cronin was attending a residential call-out. While repairing a washing machine motor fault, 30-year-old Mr Cronin made contact with live parts after removing the back panel and was electrocuted as the power was left on. Mr Cronin was only in his fifth week of employment with the company, although he did have previous experience. As part of the induction programme he was accompanied on the job by a more experienced colleague.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the induction training provided by SF (UK) Ltd was insufficient, and there was a lack of adequate risk assessments for the task.

HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed said: 'I hope this tragic incident makes it clear to employers, large and small, that they need to take positive action to manage risks and ensure staff receive adequate training when starting in a new job. A significant number of incidents involving electricity at work are reported each year and sadly some of those hurt lose their lives as a result of their injuries.'