Firm faces £100k fine after workers suffer severe burns and have to be put into induced comas
A company is facing a fine of up to £100,000 for safety breaches after two staff suffered severe burns while working at a former brass works.
David Spooner and Ian Parker had to be induced into a coma after the transformer they were testing at the former McKechnie Brass factory in Aldridge let out a huge electrical discharge equal to the ferocity of 170,000 one bar electric fires, a court heard.
The accident happened on September 11 in 2014 while the pair were working for Birmingham-based CISM which had been contracted to dismantle the redundant equipment at the site.
Magistrates were told yesterday nthat Mr Spooner, leading the job, was not qualified enough to work on the high voltage transmitter and incorrect equipment was used to test it.
Tony Mitchell, prosecutor for the Health and Safety Executive said: "Ian Parker and David Spooner both received severe heat burns from the electric volts caused by an attempt to test the transmitter with the wrong equipment.
"They were placed in an induced coma to allow their bodies time to recover. They both suffered severe burns internally and still remain off work. However they are recovering."
He added: "We contend the company fell well short of the expected standard. The electric system was not isolated or identified as high voltage, the electrician was not suitably qualified and the incorrect testing equipment was used."
Defending CISM, Mr Iain Simkin said Mr Spooner had not been a regular worker and had only been employed by the firm 'in that capacity' for two days.
He claimed that the electrician also had previous experience of high voltage shutdowns.
"The mischief is that CISM didn't undertake the appropriate checks to ensure he was qualified and capable," Mr Simkin admitted.
CISM director Chris Butler pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches under the Construction Regulations 2007 on behalf of the company.
The chair of the bench at Walsall Magistrates Court stated that because of the harm caused to the two men that the maximum fine they could impose of £20,000 would be insufficient and as a result the case was sent to Wolverhampton Crown Court where it has been scheduled for April 11.
He indicated the fine will now fall between £60,000 and £100,000.
This year CISM, based in Kings Heath, is already set to record a loss of £3,365, the court heard.
