Employers and workers have been warned about the dangers of working with plant or equipment with the potential to come into contact with overhead power lines.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the warning following the prosecution of a company involved in a major road-resurfacing project.

Colas Ltd, based at Crawley, West Sussex, was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs by Teeside Crown Court in connection with the double fatality on the A66 near Bowes on 16 January 2002.

Fred Cook, 38, and John Crimmins, 33, both from North Shields, were electrocuted when the mobile tower light they were pushing came into contact with a high voltage overhead power line crossing the worksite.

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HSE Principal Inspector, Rob Hirst, said: "This tragic incident could so easily have been avoided. Had the risks from inadvertent contact with overhead power lines been recognised, the work activities properly planned and suitable control measures put in place, then this incident would not have occurred.

"I take this opportunity to remind everyone involved in managing work activities to review their systems of work to ensure tragedies such as this cannot be repeated.

"Employers, and those who have any influence or duties in the management of work activities, need to assess, plan and manage such high risk situations."

Colas Ltd, the principal contractor undertaking the resurfacing work, had earlier pleaded guilty to a breach of S.3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to safeguard the health and safety of persons not in its employment.

(JM)