Housing company failed man who suffered face burns at work

A housing company in Kent has been fined after an employee inadvertently struck an underground cable, suffering burns to his face. 

The MHS Homes worker and a colleague had been repairing three fence posts in a tenant’s back garden on 10 January 2023.  

Part-way through the job one of the workers struck an underground electrical cable as he tried to break through concrete using a breaker. 

It was also found the two employees had been digging by a gas service, posing the risk of fire or explosion, with potentially fatal consequences as well as destroying property. 

MHS Homes failed to provide the workers with the location of, or tools to safely excavate around, an electrical cable and gas pipe, an investigation found. 

Despite previously identifying the potential of underground services in a risk assessment in 2017, MHS Homes often excavated the area.  

But they never provided any information to employees on the location of underground services nor suitable equipment to detect and safely excavate them, it was also found.  

MHS Homes of Leviathan Way in Chatham pleaded guilty to breaching Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and was fined £528,000 as well as £4,122 in costs following a sentencing hearing on 24 April. 

Health and Safety Executive inspector, Peter Bruce, said: “Underground services are widespread and represent a significant risk.  

“It is important measures are taken to identify them before any excavation work is undertaken. 

“On this occasion, an electrical cable was struck and a worker suffered minor injuries. However, it could have been much worse and potentially fatal. 

“Those excavating the ground need to ensure that they obtain service plans prior to the work taking place.  

“It is also vital that employees are provided with the correct tools and detection equipment to do their work safely.” 

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