An engineering contractor has been prosecuted after an employee suffered major burns during work to replace a traffic light pole in Gloucester.

Amey LG Limited, of Edmund Halley Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25 (4) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It was fined £600,000 with £15,498 in costs.

Gloucester Crown Court heard Amey was working for the local authority to replace a traffic light pole on Eastgate Street on 29 May 2015.

A 61-year-old man employed by subcontractor was carrying out the work when he came into contact with a live underground cable. The subsequent electric shock set him on fire, resulting in major burns to his hands, arms, stomach, face, legs and chest.

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A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that although this was the first time this particular group of individuals worked on an Amey project, Amey did not provide adequate information on the location of underground services in the area. In addition, HSE found Amey's supervision of the work was not adequate, and it had not properly managed the risks from the underground services.

HSE Principal Inspector Helena Tinton said: "This man suffered life changing injuries as a result of this incident. He's not been able to return to work, he still can't use his hands properly and has been left both physically and mentally scarred by what happened. Had Amey given adequate information to the team working on site, and had Amey ensured the work was properly planned and supervised, this incident could have been avoided.

"This case should act as a reminder to local authorities and their contractors of the risks of working underground and the danger of severe electric shocks."

(LM/CD)