Company fined after driver killed by power line strike

Options Energy Resource LLP has been fined after a driver was killed by an overhead power line strike.

Luton Crown Court heard how, on September 16, 2016, Darren Waterman, a driver employed by Just Grab Services to unload material at Fillets Farm, Hunsdon, Hertforshire, was using the grab arm when it came into contact with an 11kv overhead power line (OHPL) and he was killed. The site was managed by Options Energy Resource LLP.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Options Energy Resource LLP had identified the risk from OHPL’s in risk assessments but had failed to implement them and adequately plan construction work and to train its employees.

Fatal: Grab arm hits overhead power line

Options Energy Resource LLP of Hanbury Drive, Leystonstone, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974 and was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,242.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Samantha Wells said “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of Options Energy Resource LLP to implement safe systems of work and to ensure that health and safety documentation was communicated and followed.

“Every year in the UK, two people are killed and many more are injured when machinery comes into contact with, or close proximity to, overhead power lines."

The HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.