The damage to the cable had not been detected because insulation resistance tests had not been carried out properly on the wiring, the jury was told.

The fault had remained undetected until water from a leak in a hot water cylinder came into contact with the metal partition. This caused water on the airing cupboard floor also to become 'live', which led to the electrocution when Miss Shaw attempted to turn off the water stop cock when in contact with the water. As the flat was on the first
floor, no RCD protection had been provided.

Her son, then aged 23 months, had been shut in the living room while his mother went to tend to the leak.

Last December, after listening to two weeks of evidence, the inquest jury found that the initial testing of the electrical installation in the flat by the installing contractor, Anchor Electrical and Building Services Ltd of Staffordshire,was "not carried out to a professional standard, if at all".

Evidence at the inquest revealed that when the electrics were installed, a series of errors were made. These included an unqualified electrician's mate testing and approving the wiring in the flat. The inquest heard that four safety documents that the mate had filled out, and which were checked by the company's supervisor, also had a number of errors in them.

The jury said that there had been a "failure by the company to assess the capabilities of their workforce and constantly monitor their development" and a "failure to comply with their health and safety standards". They concluded that Miss Shaw had been unlawfully killed.

Following the verdict of unlawful killing, the Health and Safety Executive confirmed that new evidence would be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which had previously said that there was insufficient evidence to successfully prosecute anyone.

The Coroner told the inquest that he would use coroner's rules to write to the NICEIC and other relevant bodies,
asking if anything can be done to curb the practice of electricians signing safety certificates based solely on information reported to them by others.

Thanks to the ESC SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012, p13 for this update.

IET Wiring Matters | Summer 12

 

Food company fined £170,000 after worker electrocuted

A fresh produce manufacturing company has been fined £170,000 after a worker was killed after coming into contact with a live 240V electrical cable.

Chichester Crown Court was told that,  a 21 year old sub-contractor, was lagging pipes in the loft space of Natures Ways Foods premises in Chichester, on 2 June 2011. He came into contact with a 240V live electrical cable and was electrocuted. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the ambulance crew.

The live cable was part of an old system that had been removed by Natures Way Foods in 2008, but was not identified in any way, and its existence and ‘live’ nature was unknown to Natures Way Foods. 

Farmer in court over driver’s electrocution

Mr x, (who was 59 at the time), from Northamptonshire, was raising the tipper body of his articulated lorry when it hit the 11kV overhead power line which crossed the farmyard close to the feed silo which he was trying to fill.

Mr x was electrocuted and died at the scene. He was discovered by an electricity supply network engineer who was sent out to locate the line fault a short while later.

Clandon Park, (National trust)

An electrical fault caused the fire resulting in 80% of this magnificent house being destroyed by FIRE.

Electrical testing and surveying is very cost effective...