A power company has been fined after a worker was electrocuted and killed during cable replacement work in the Highlands.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC, based in Perth, pleaded guilty to a contravention of Sections 3(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £133,000. The company was told it would have faced a £200,000 fine had it pleaded not guilty.

The court heard Gareth Aitken was supervising two junior colleagues using a suspended work platform to replace power cables at Contullich Woods near Alness on 02 August 2012.


While moving the platform to a lower position on the pylon, Mr Aitken came into contact with a charged electric cable and was killed.

A joint investigation between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Police found the charge that killed Mr Aitken was caused by induction from the adjacent live circuit.

The investigation concluded that the Permit to Work issued by the company in relation to the work to be carried out was inadequate and that the risk of death or very serious injury was readily foreseeable.

Gary Aitken, Head of Health and Safety Division said: "The failing on the part of Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC to have in place an adequately specified Permit to Work did not provided for a safe system of work. This ultimately led to the tragic death of Gareth Aitken.

"The risk of death from this type of work was foreseeable and entirely avoidable.

"Since this incident the company has carried out additional training in the Permit to Work process to ensure compliance with expected standards."

(LM/MH)