A tree surgeon in Wiltshire has recounted a harrowing near-death experience after suffering a severe electric shock from an overhead powerline while on the job. Joshua Pocknell, 26, was clearing hedges on the A3102 near Royal Wootton Bassett when his mobile lighting tower inadvertently struck an 11,000-volt line, resulting in life-threatening injuries that required a five-week hospital stay.
The Incident
The shocking event occurred shortly after midnight on January 19, 2024. Pocknell described the moment he was electrocuted: “My whole body locked and I felt hot and cramping. I could hear the electricity in my head and thought I was going to die. I hit the floor and passed out, still cramping.”
Medical assessments revealed severe damage, with a hole burnt through his arm and hip down to the bone. The aftermath has left him grappling with ongoing pain and complications. “My injuries were complex and challenging, with five or six different surgeons involved in my treatment,” he recalled. “I still experience considerable pain and strange bodily sensations, including nerve pain and itching. This incident has torn the life from beneath me, and I don’t think I will be able to return to the job that I used to love.”
Legal Consequences
In a recent hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, Pocknell’s employer, Upton Specialised Tree Services, faced the repercussions of this preventable incident. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and found the company had failed to adequately plan and assess the risks associated with working near overhead powerlines.
Upton Specialised Tree Services pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The court imposed a fine of £60,000, along with £6,237 in costs. HSE inspector Tom Preston highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Joshua is lucky to be alive. Overhead electrical power lines present extreme risks to workers, but the risks can and must be controlled.”
Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny
The HSE’s findings underscore a critical need for enhanced safety measures in environments where workers are exposed to electrical hazards. The absence of barriers or comprehensive training for operating the mobile lighting tower was glaringly evident in this case. Such oversights not only jeopardise employee safety but also expose companies to significant legal liabilities.
Preston emphasised that work near overhead power lines should only be conducted under strict safety protocols, including suitable risk assessments, the implementation of safety zones, and thorough training on equipment. “In this case, a worker sustained severe injuries in a traumatic incident for all concerned that was entirely preventable,” he said.
Why it Matters
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of workplace safety, particularly in sectors prone to hazardous conditions. The repercussions of inadequate safety measures extend beyond financial penalties; they profoundly affect the lives of employees and their families. As industries grapple with the balance between productivity and safety, Pocknell’s experience highlights the critical need for rigorous adherence to safety standards to protect workers and prevent future tragedies.
