Hospital fined GBP 8,000 after shock accident
September 15, 2008
A hospital has to pay over £16,000 after an employee suffered an electric shock while operating a steam cleaner.
East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust is being fined £8,000 plus £8,466 in costs.
The worker was operating the machine in a damp environment without suitable protective measures when the accident occurred, the consequences of which have had a substantial impact on his life.
He required surgery and has lost the use of his right hand, suffers headaches, deteriorating eyesight and numbness of the face.
Liz Smith, an Health and Safety Executive inspector, claims the accident occurred because the hospital failed "to adequately assess the risks".
She states a residual current device would have allowed the machine to be safely used.
"It is well known that electricity and water do not mix and there is an increased risk of an electric shock or even death," she adds.
The trust pleaded guilty to breaching the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Last month a hospital was fined £18,500 after exposing a cleaner to glutaraldehyde, a toxic chemical, without protection.
East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust is being fined £8,000 plus £8,466 in costs.
The worker was operating the machine in a damp environment without suitable protective measures when the accident occurred, the consequences of which have had a substantial impact on his life.
He required surgery and has lost the use of his right hand, suffers headaches, deteriorating eyesight and numbness of the face.
Liz Smith, an Health and Safety Executive inspector, claims the accident occurred because the hospital failed "to adequately assess the risks".
She states a residual current device would have allowed the machine to be safely used.
"It is well known that electricity and water do not mix and there is an increased risk of an electric shock or even death," she adds.
The trust pleaded guilty to breaching the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Last month a hospital was fined £18,500 after exposing a cleaner to glutaraldehyde, a toxic chemical, without protection.
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