Tree surgeon suffers electric shock from overhead powerline
Thursday 7th May 2026
The tree surgeon was part of a team of three carrying out maintenance to hedges on a busy road when the mobile lighting tower in operation made contact with an overhead powerline. The worker suffered a powerful electronic shock from the overhead powerline.
The worker sustained life-threatening injuries including a burn through his arm and hip and spent five weeks in hospital.
The investigation found that the overhead powerlines had not been properly assessed or controlled following a decision to change to nighttime working. The company failed to adequately plan, or risk assess dangers posed by overhead power lines. Additionally, the company failed to implement suitable control measures and/or adequate training in using the mobile lighting tower.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 by virtue of Regulation 3. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £6,237 in costs.