Electrical contractor fined after issuing false safety certificates for unsafe car washes
A Manchester-based electrical contractor, Epco Energy Solutions Limited, has been fined £20,000 after falsely certifying two unsafe car washes in Runcorn as electrically safe, despite serious risks of injury and electrocution remaining on site. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hse-network.com]
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), working alongside Cheshire Police, Trading Standards and immigration authorities, found dangerous electrical systems at Super Hand Car Wash on Halton Road and Top Star Hand Car Wash on Bridge Street. Both businesses were immediately ordered to stop operating until the electrical hazards were addressed. [press.hse.gov.uk]
The car wash operators were advised to employ a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)-registered contractor. Epco Energy Solutions Limited, then a member of NICEIC, carried out work and issued certificates stating the installations were safe. However, HSE specialists later discovered that the certificates did not accurately reflect the condition of the electrical systems, which remained dangerous and posed a risk of serious injury or electrocution to workers and members of the public. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hse-network.com]
Investigators found the certificates had been generated using NICEIC’s secure members’ system and electronically signed using the signature of sole director Mohammed Naeem. [press.hse.gov.uk]
The company was found guilty at Warrington Magistrates’ Court of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the £20,000 fine, it was ordered to pay £15,239 in costs. [hse-network.com], [industryne…ntal.co.uk], [uk-safety.news]
Key takeaway: This case demonstrates the importance of using competent contractors and independently verifying that remedial works have actually been completed. Safety certificates are only valuable when they accurately reflect the condition of the installation. In high-risk environments such as car washes, where water and electricity are present together, failures can have fatal consequences. [press.hse.gov.uk]
