DS accident with electricity at work

[Pocketfullofdogtreats]

DS is a self-employed builder, currently working for a small building company renovating an old house. He was up some scaffolding, rendering (plastering) the outside of the property when he got a huge electric shock. He had moved a cable in order to render underneath it, and apparently the rubber was degraded, there was a crack, and he had touched it with wet hands (from the render). He had a dead arm. His boss phoned the electricity company and they said to phone 111, who wanted to send an ambulance. But DS drove himself to A&E where they saw him straight away and did lots of tests including a blood test. The electricity company said they were aware that the wiring needed to be upgraded - these things have a shelf life and it was on their list. They hadn't told the homeowner (who was horrified and said he never would've had the work done if he'd known) and DS's boss was unaware too. So someone (111?) said that he was very lucky he was wearing trainers rather than steel toecap boots, and was standing on wooden boards as it could've killed him. Apparently, outside the house it's a huge amperage, before it goes into a junction box and becomes 240 volts, which is why you see those warning signs on poles. So it's not a question of 'knock you off your feet' but cooking you inside, which was why they did the blood test. So he was at the hospital for several hours but sent home as OK. He is shaken up, This was two days ago. He is wondering if he should take this further. His instinct is to forget it and learn from it. TIA

Take in further in what way?

What harm or loss has he experienced?

You’re going to struggle to take it further. Industrial accidents that kill people rarely yield compensation, let alone accidents that don’t.

Has it been reported to HSE if he's off work for 3 days I think it's classed as a reportable accident.

I don't think it will be worth trying to sue. But it will be worth a call to HSE. There might be other things on the site that are dangerous

Take it further in terms of lessons learnt and improved processes ofcourse. Take it further in terms of compensation is trickier unless he loses pay etc from his injury

huh?

he drove himself to a&e following a “huge” electrical shock

they did “loads of tests”…. and?

As a self employed builder then unfortunately the onus would have been on him to do a risk assessment before moving a power cable.

”take it further”

bur he incurred no injury (not even a burn?)

and drove himself to a&e

111 said call an ambulance but instead all his colleagues and boss waved him off as he drove himself to hospital

a bit of confusion here - self employed but then you say about ' his boss '
do you mean the owner of the small building company ?

but anyway, take what further ?

and with whom ?
the owner of the small business company
the electricity board
the home owner

and the first issue I can see is the choosing to drive himself to the hospital and not waiting for the ambulance.

how old is he? how experienced is he?

HSE - they have the teeth to investigate and also fine the company, etc

Whoever has oversight of Electric companies - Ofgem?

The electric company were negligent if they knew the cables were degraded. I hope your ds fully recovers, including mentally.

it all sounds like a cobbled together version with confusing detail (self employed but he has a boss? presumably he’s doing just cash in hand for a mate of a mate kind of thing)

He had moved a cable in order to render underneath it, and apparently the rubber was degraded, there was a crack, and he had touched it with wet hands (from the render).

He is surrounded by cabling and has wet hands ie no gloves

good grief

Sounds like hse should be involved. Who was responsible for the site?

I'd assume he's employed by the company but with self employed status.
So he might move between 2 or 3 builders as and when they need him.

Work in construction isn't guaranteed. Lots of small builders don't want to carry employees as it gives the issue of what to do with people on lean weeks.
It's also one of the reasons apprenticeships are really hard to come by an we have a shortage of skilled tradesmen.

Sounds like

HSE
HMRC
and
Common sense

should all have been / be involved

Honestly, only on mumsnet can there be a huge act of negligence and everyone says “you lost nothing, it’s fine”. Next time they could kill someone, of course you should take it further.

i see a builder surrounded by cabling, not wearing gloves, getting wet hands and continuing to work without ensuring at least bone dry or preferably with gloves

i see a builder ignoring medical advice and deciding to drive himself to a&e

i see a builder released after a couple of hours and seemingly no burns or indeed anything

People on here are honestly ridiculous, if this happened to one of my loved ones I would want something done about it.

Also you can be self employed and still have a 'boss' most self employed trades are sub contracting from a larger contractor, there's honestly no need to be so picky on peoples posts

It's easy to say get something done...he still needs to be able to pick up work, and not be classed as a PITA.
Id check if it needs reporting to HSE but that's it.

Negligence? On whose part?

Good job you don’t work in health and safety then.

I see an electrical company that knew the wires needed replacing but haven’t, and poor risk assessments/inadequate enforcing of H&S rules by the company overseeing the project.

See my previous answer.

Reportable in the main contractor's accident book for 3 day incapacity, reportable to the HSE under RIDDOR for 7 days off work.

As it seems to be the electricity supply to the property (national grid?) that's the cause of the accident, it needs to be reported IN WRITING to them.

I don't understand the bit about moving the cable. Normally if a cable is the responsibility of an electric cable they need to be asked prior to touching it, and at that point would have supplied information about it not being safe to touch whilst live