My life is ruined but firm was fined just £32,000

Apr 12 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

A PLASTERER who was severely burned by a Scottish Power live cable on a construction site last night hit out the sentence imposed on the company.

Utility giant Scottish Power was fined £32,000 for failing to isolate a live cable which set Peter Mason, of Birkenhead, on fire.

The company’s subsidiary, SP Power Systems, should have tackled the danger five months before Mr Mason was turned into a human fireball, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

While ablaze, Mr Mason, 22, ran for 40 for metres and had to roll himself in a puddle of mud before the flames were extinguished.

Following the incident he spent three weeks in a burns unit and was not able to return to work for four months.

Speaking after the court case, Mr Mason said his long-term relationship ended as he tried to come to terms with what happened to him. He now has custody of his five children every weekend.

“My life has never been the same and this fine they’ve had is nothing. I’ve sent off the details for a civil claim and am looking for compensation.

“I just hope it adds up to more than they were fined because my life has been shattered.

“It makes me wonder why they bother because this wouldn’t deter a company like that.”

Simon Parrington, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told the court the incident could have proved fatal for Mr Mason and his workmates.

He said SP Power Systems had been told of the live cable danger, at a building site in Great George Street, Liverpool, in October 2005.

Although it has been temporarily made safe by electricians, poor communications between SP Power Systems staff meant the fault was thought to have been fixed.

Mr Mason’s dramatic arrival at the Royal Liverpool Hospital’s A&E department was captured by a documentary crew and a clip of the resulting programme, BBC Three’s Trauma, was shown to the court. Workmate Kieron Williams suffered minor burns to his neck, hands and eyelids.

SP Power Systems pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps that persons not in their employment were not exposed to risks.

Stuart Denney, mitigating, said the company had rigorous procedures for reporting potentially dangerous situations.

He said there had been a misunderstanding in this case and steps had been taken to ensure it would never happen again. The company was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay £15,000 in costs.

A Scottish Power spokesman said: “ScottishPower accepts the sentence passed by the court.

“In the wake of this incident, ScottishPower has updated its procedures to ensure that it is not possible for a similar situation to occur.”

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