In the News Elsewhere

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and North Wales Police, found that a number of engineers had been attempting to repair the telephone lines, which ran across the river, over a period of two months. They had been working both near and in the river. At the time of the incident, there had been flooding in the area which meant the river was much higher and faster flowing than usual.
The engineer entered the water and made his way to an island in the middle of the river in order to try and throw a new telephone cable across to the other side by taping it to a hammer and then throwing the hammer. Whilst attempting to cross the remaining section of the river, he slipped in a deeper part and the force of the river swept him away.
The HSE also found that there was no safe system of work in place for work on or near water, nor had the engineers received training, information or instruction on safe working on or near water.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £1.34 million and ordered to pay costs of £15,858.35 at Court on 5 June. Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector said: “This was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a much loved young man. The engineers family, friends and colleagues have always remained in our thoughts. His death would have been preventable had an effective system for working on or near water been in place.
“He should not have been put in the unsafe working situation. Companies should learn the lessons from this incident if they have staff who may work on or near water and be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”