UK based retailer, B&M hit with £1m fine after electrician ends up in coma following an electrical explosion at its Merseyside warehouse

UK based, retailer B&M was issued with £1 million fine after an electrician working at its headquarters Merseyside sustained serious and life changing injuries which included burns to his arms, hands, thighs, legs, and face.

On 22 September 2018, the 35 year old electrician was using a metal spanner to repair an electrical fault at B&M Retail Ltd warehouse, in Speke. The spanner he was using came into contact with a live busbar (metallic strip) linked to the power distribution causing an electrical explosion.

He was placed in an induced coma for two weeks and had to undergo several skin grafts. As a result of the incident the electrician was unable to work for five months.

The HSE investigation found a “series of failings” by both B&M and the electrical contractor in the planning and execution of the job.

B&M failed to appoint a suitably competent person to plan and carry out the work to connect temporary generators to their distribution board at the premises.

Electrical contractors Daker Ltd.’s work methods fell well below the required standards. Electrical work commenced without proper planning. The power supply to the circuit was not stopped prior to the incident and live working was allowed to take place, this meant that the power supply could be switched on or off at any point, putting workers at risk of electric shock.

This tragedy could have been avoided if the companies involved had appointed qualified and competent workers, taking time to plan and coordinate tasks to ensure the circuit was dead, eliminating the risk of electrocution to workers.