Question: Under RIDDOR are all cable strikes reportable as a Dangerous occurrence?

[TWDB]

Hi all,

I am having a discussion with a client about if a cable strike is reportable as dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR

I have reviewed the below and say not if the following apply (from HSE website and RIDDOR.

"Q. An underground electricity cable was struck, causing a bang and a flash-over. We were told by the distributor that it is below 230 V. Is it reportable?

A. It depends on the circumstances, and you need to use a degree of judgement. The cable is 'plant', and a short-circuit occurred when the cable was struck, causing the bang and flash-over (explosion). However, the incident would not be reportable if the cable was repaired within 24 hours, and there was no potential for any person to die.

The incident would be reportable if:

it took longer than 24 hours to repair the cable
the explosion had the potential to cause fatal injuries
the cable was energised at a voltage high enough to cause electrocution, and a person holding a conducting object such as a metal tool struck it
Please note:

Contact with the energised exposed conductors of an electrical cable or circuit operating above 50 V alternating current (ac) or 125 V direct current (dc) could cause death by electrocution.
A mechanical tool penetrating an energised electric power cable will create a short-circuit either between two or more of the phase conductors within the cable or between the outer earthed armouring of the cable and one or more of the phase conductors within the cable.

an example made where it would be reportable as a dangerous occurrence - was that if cable is struck by a machine (360) then it would be reportable as a dangerous occurrence - cable being 415Volt


any thoughts and comments welcome.

T

[Alexis]

Bump

[Safety]

Cable strikes

Incidents involving cable strikes are reportable as this involves one of the defined dangerous occurrences. However, the HSE makes it clear that “it depends on the circumstances, and you need to use a degree of judgment”. In this instance, the cable would be considered “plant” and the incident involves electricity. If the cable was repaired within 24 hours of the strike and “there was no potential for any person to die”, it would not be reportable.

However, if the voltage was high enough to cause electrocution and a person was holding a metal tool, for example, it would be reportable as a dangerous occurrence if, say:

any resulting explosion had the potential to cause fatal injuries

it took longer than 24 hours to repair the cable.

It should be noted that this relates to the potential for injury. Clearly, if the person was killed, the fatal injury procedure would apply.

[TWDB]

Thanks both

[witsd]

My standard go-to answer:

Unless you are having tons of these*, then it's faster to just report the single incident than to spend ages working out if you have to report it. It won't cause HSE to descend upon you from a great height - most likely you'll never hear a peep.

*If you are having tons of these, then obviously it should be reported as sooner or later someone is going to come to serious harm.

[PaulJD]

Stupid question related to cable strikes but not necessarily reportable cable strikes.

Would driving over an armoured cable in a Mewp and damaging the cable be classed as a cable strike? I am under the impression that cable strikes only relate to buried cable?

I am a fledgling H&S advisor and we have been asked by our client, to carry our a full investigation after a Mewp drove over an armoured cable, damaging the cable and outing the power to the site and offices. The site is a small 2 storey school FYI

Any help would be appreciated

PD

[Alexis]

Many thanks if anyone can offer their advice to Paul.

[WillPool]

Many thanks if anyone can offer their advice to Paul.

Alexis

Think this has already been answered int his post:

viewtopic.php?t=52775

Will

[Alexis]

Thank you Will.