A company has been fined £30,000 after a lorry driver died when his vehicle struck an overhead power line, electrocuting him.
Levi Alleyne, known as Chunky, lost his life while delivering crushed concrete at a construction site in Reading on 16 November 2020.
The HGV driver was killed after the crane arm of his vehicle came into close contact with an overhead powerline, which then created an electrical charge.
The 41-year-old later passed away from his injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found Reading-based BBM Contracts, the principal contractor, ordered the delivery and chose the area where the crushed concrete would be delivered.
However, the delivery area was located below an 11kV powerline.
The company was aware of the presence of overhead powerlines, but it did not consider whether there was an alternative way of working which avoided them, nor did it put in place demarcations or warnings.
An alternative delivery route was subsequently used following the incident.
BBM Contracts pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) regulations 2015 and it was fined £30,000 at Reading Magistrates’ Court.
HSE principal inspector Georgina Symons said: “This tragic incident led to the death of a father-of-four. This death might have been prevented if the contractor had correctly identified and managed the risks involved.
“The dangers associated with overhead power lines are well-known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.”
Last year, the International Powered Access Federation warned that incidences of electrocutions and electric shocks were increasing.
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