The significant fine imposed on National Grid highlights severe safety oversights leading to a worker’s life-changing injuries.
- In December 2020, a worker received a 33,000-volt shock, resulting in serious burns over 40% of his body.
- Investigations revealed inadequate risk assessments and safety measures by 4 Power Ltd and National Grid.
- The Health & Safety Executive identified failures in ensuring electricity was safely turned off during maintenance.
- Despite multiple surgeries, the injured worker faces lifelong physical and mental health challenges.
In a stark reminder of the critical importance of safety in industrial work environments, the National Grid has been fined £3.2 million following a devastating incident involving an electricity pylon in South Wales. Justin Hollins, a father-of-two and experienced worker, was performing maintenance work in December 2020 when he suffered a catastrophic 33,000-volt electric shock. This incident resulted in severe burns covering 40% of his body, significantly impacting his arms, legs, and even resulted in the loss of part of his right buttock.
The Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) investigation unearthed serious lapses in procedural safety protocols. Their findings highlighted that Cheshire-based 4 Power Ltd, responsible for executing the work, failed to thoroughly plan and assess risks, which would have identified that the pylon’s arms were inadequate for the job while maintaining critical safety distances. Concomitantly, National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc did not ensure the essential precaution of de-energising the pylon before work commenced — a fundamental oversight that directly contributed to the incident.
Many details came to light during the Cardiff Crown Court proceedings, where 4 Power Ltd admitted to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which underscores the duty of employers to ensure the welfare of their employees in the workplace. Consequently, the firm was fined £80,000, along with additional costs amounting to £14,123. Similarly, National Grid Electricity Distribution faced significant legal repercussions, pleading guilty to violating Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, resulting in their substantial £3.2 million fine and costs of £20,460.
The personal ramifications for Justin Hollins, who endured six operations within the first ten days of his hospitalisation, are profound. He required intensive 24-hour care and, despite no longer needing regular hospital visits since August 2022, continues to face the irreversible effects of the accident. Expressing his struggle, Hollins reflected on the ordeal: “This was a very difficult time, with relentless operations and endless, painful changing of dressings… I have to live with the physical and mental effects of the accident for life.”
HSE Inspector Rhys Hughes commented post-hearing, stressing the preventability of such incidents if proper safety systems were in place from the onset. His statement serves as a poignant reminder and a call to action for entities in control of hazardous work to prioritize comprehensive safety protocols and ensure adequate training and information dissemination to their workforce.
The fines and court proceedings reflect the critical need for rigorous safety standards in industrial operations to prevent similar tragic incidents.
