A businessman faces prosecution and jail after an investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) discovered workplace risk had not been “appropriately” assessed.

A worker had been hired by T&C Construction (SE) to move a metal shipping container at a builder’s yard. The yard had high-voltage power cables running over it.

The worker was operating a lorry when its crane arm came into contact with the power cables. An inquest heard he was electrocuted.

Yard owner Adrian Dolman claims he warned the driver about the power cables. But he declined to answer questions at the inquest after being advised he might incriminate himself.

Safety ignored

The HSE say Dolman could have had the cables disconnected ahead of the work. Their investigation found trees may have made it difficult to see the cables but concluded both Dolman and the driver “did not assess the risk of the situation appropriately”.

The HSE said the overhead cables and their height were within specification. They have since been buried and are no longer accessible.