Man's cable death 'was avoidable'

The death of a 31-year-old Kent man who was electrocuted while trimming a hedge could have been avoided, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

Father-of-one Miguel Fernandes came into contact with overhead power lines while operating uninsulated tools in 2004, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

RDJ Colloids Ltd admitted breaking health and safety laws and was fined £17,500 and told to pay £7,500 costs.

The HSE said the death at the firm's Tonbridge base could have been avoided.

After the court hearing, HSE inspector David Fussell said: "This was an accident waiting to happen.

"The fatal injuries to Mr Fernandes were easily preventable, and the accident came about through a combination of events which included a failure to heed warnings, reliance on a fatally flawed system of work and a complete lack of control over contractors."

He said an HSE investigation had identified poor safety management on site, a failure to carry out risk assessments, and failure to provide guidance or supervision to contractors.