A roofing and guttering firm has been fined £450,000 after pleading guilty to corporate manslaughter following the death of employee Andrew Claridge, who was electrocuted while carrying out work near overhead power lines in Longworth, Oxfordshire, in November 2024. [hellorayo.co.uk]
Cotswold Rainwater Services Ltd admitted corporate manslaughter after investigators found it had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment despite a previous incident at the same location where another employee had suffered an electric shock from the overhead lines. [qebhollisw…eman.co.uk], [hellorayo.co.uk]
The court heard that Andrew Claridge, 34, was using a metal ladder when it came into contact with an 11,000-volt overhead power line. No site-specific safety assessment had been undertaken and appropriate control measures were not in place. [oxfordmail.co.uk], [hellorayo.co.uk]
At Oxford Crown Court, the company was fined £450,000, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £15,735 and required to publicise its conviction. Judge Ian Pringle KC described the death as “completely foreseeable” and said it could have been prevented with basic checks. [oxfordmail.co.uk], [hellorayo.co.uk]
The case serves as a stark reminder that work near overhead power lines requires robust risk assessment, planning and control measures to prevent fatal incidents. [hellorayo.co.uk]
