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Electric Shock at work

Helen

Hi everyone,

I know nothing about electrics so please forgive my ignorance... I'm looking for some advice and hope someone out there can help me.

I rent a business premises from an 'absent landlord' who refuses to do any maintenance on the site and last week I received an electric shock from a car lift which is not maintained (it's outside my building but unconnected to my business, owned by the landlord). This led me to have a conversation with another tenant about the state of the electrics generally and they told me that the power supply for the whole site, which runs through one particular unit is in a dangerous state. This other tenant had an electrician come to look when they wanted some additional power points and the electrician was apparently shocked to find that "the wiring hasn't been touched since the 1930's" and said that the site ought to be immediately condemned and that he was amazed that nothing terrible had happened up to this point. I should probably add that the unit that houses all of this wiring is being used by a bee keeper... and his bees... and a lot of rats that eat the sugar that he adds to the honey! The site has three mechanics garages amongst other businesses, and has 3 phase supply to heavy equipment like the car lifts. The car lifts themselves are entirely outside with no cover, and have never been serviced in the years that I've been on the site.

So, basically, I have decided to end my tenancy and, no longer having to worry about retribution from the landlord, want to do anything I can to make sure that no one else gets hurt. Can anyone out there give me any advice about how, and to whom, I can report all of this? Are there any agencies or authorities that might take action?

Thanks so much for reading my post, and thank you in advance for any responses.

Here's a couple of photos of the car lift to give you the idea...

  • +1

    Others might have a better idea, but my first guess, as this is a place of work and so covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act / Electricity at Work regs, would be the HSE. https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

       - Andy,

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    Thanks so much for your reply Andy... I'll definitely have a look at that website first. I don't know if there are also any emergency numbers I should call (as with gas)? I'm very worried that someone else might get a shock, as there are often customers with their children on the site. 

  • 0

    Further to Andy's comment,

    If it is a place of work, the Health and Safety at work Act applies, and via the HSE is the first way to go. The owners have a duty of care to workers, customers, and unless adequately fenced out, the passing public as well.

    Then there is the fact that this is lifting equipment, and 'LOLER' applies https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/loler.htm

    If they cannot produce recent maintenance records they may be in contravention.

    The second line of attack if it is claimed to be a private property and not a business, is the local council environmental health team (for hazards to the public outdoors) or the building control dept (for buildings that are dangerous or contain dangerous installations).  Neither are very likely to have a full time sparks in the team, but should be able to get one involved if needed. In my experience, there may well be some administrative inertia as you are not offering to pay them.

    Thirdly, in terms of claim for your injury received, unless you have a witness, or burns or other injury to show for it, you are not likely to have much to go on.  But you could get a more informed opinion on your options from the CAB or even call a solicitor - many will offer a short 'is it really worth it' consultation for free before they start to charge you many pounds per minute . You could also try getting a crime no from the local non-emergency police no. which may or may not be of any use in the longer term as a record of something happening.

    Mike.

  • 0

    Maintenance of an electrical appliance such as a vehicle lift would normally be the duty of the tenant, not the landlord, unless agreed otherwise in writing.

    Maintenance of the fixed electrical wiring would normally be down to the landlord, again unless agreed otherwise in writing.

    Various regulations require inspection and maintenance of lifting and hoisting equipment, but these are primarily regarding strength and stability, not the electrical arrangements, they would still apply to manually powered vehicle or other lifts. See "LOLER regs" As noted above.

    Honey is a foodstuff and the local authority health inspector would be most concerned at rats or other vermin in food premises. I wonder if the premises are registered as a "food premises"

    I would report the rats in food premises to the local authority food safety department, Local authorities vary in efficiency, but most take rats very seriously. They are not PRIMARILY interested in electrical safety, but can and will pass on any concerns found during a rat inspection to whom they feel best. If sugar is actualy being added to the honey this may be a trading standards offence, the rat inspection will take it further if need be.

    I would also report your concerns regarding the electrical installation to the local fire brigade, ask for the "fire prevention or fire safety officer" NOT a 999 call.

  • 0

    How did you get the shock and what did you experience please?

    As far as I can tell, you are under no obligation to report the potentially dangerous equipment or the vermin - some people might tell you to mind your own business.

    I agree with what others have said. I would only add that keeping bees in an industrial unit seems odd - where do they forage? How are neighbours kept safe? If the beekeeper is adding sugar to the honey, that may well be a food crime - see https://www.food.gov.uk/contact/businesses/report-safety-concern/report-a-food-crime. Be aware, however, that the sugar may be used to feed the bees rather than being used to adulterate honey.

    Please do ensure that your facts are correct or any complaints might bite back.

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