A tragic accident involving a pylon worker has resulted in significant fines for National Grid and a contractor.
- The worker, Justin Hollins, suffered life-changing injuries following a 33,000-volt electric shock.
- Investigations found multiple safety failures by both the National Grid and contractor 4 Power Ltd.
- Legal proceedings resulted in substantial fines for breaches of safety regulations.
- The case highlights enduring responsibilities and the severe consequences of negligence.
In a harrowing incident that underscores the critical importance of workplace safety, Justin Hollins sustained severe injuries when he was subject to a 33,000-volt electric shock while working on a pylon at Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd. This accident, occurring on December 3, 2020, left Hollins with burns covering 40 per cent of his body, in addition to the partial loss of his right buttock.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an extensive investigation, revealing that the National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc had failed to ensure the electricity supply was disconnected before maintenance work commenced on the pylon. The oversight, deemed a serious breach of safety protocols, reflected a disregard for the essential safety measures necessary to protect workers in such hazardous environments.
Additionally, the contractor, 4 Power Ltd of Cheshire, was found to have inadequately planned and assessed the risks associated with the task. The investigation noted that inadequate arm length on the pylon made it impossible to maintain required safety distances, a critical oversight that contributed to the incident. Hollins, equipped with a harness, was left suspended from the pylon until colleagues came to his aid.
Following the accident, Hollins underwent six operations in the span of ten days and continues to manage the substantial nerve damage impacting his mobility. In a statement, Hollins expressed his gratitude for surviving the ordeal but lamented the enduring physical and psychological impact, stating, “I have to live with the uncertainty of the long-term damage 33,000 volts have done to my internal organs.”
The legal consequences for those implicated were significant. At Cardiff Crown Court, 4 Power Ltd acknowledged its failure to comply with Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, resulting in a fine of £80,000 plus costs of £14,123. National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc admitted breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, leading to a hefty fine of £3.2 million and additional costs amounting to £20,460.
HSE inspector Rhys Hughes emphasised the preventability of the tragic events, noting that adequate safety measures could have averted the injuries sustained by Hollins. The inspector remarked, “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information and instruction to workers.” This statement serves as a stern reminder of the non-negotiable nature of safety in the workplace.
This incident starkly illustrates the severe repercussions of neglecting critical safety protocols in high-risk environments.
