A LETTINGS company has been fined £53,000 for safety breaches after a self-employed builder suffered first and third degree burns to his face, hands, neck and chest.

The injured worker, 50-year-old Michael Phillips, suffered an electric shock in October last year, while carrying out work for North Yorkshire firm IPH Investments Ltd, at an address in Station Parade, Harrogate.

The premises were being converted into a sunbed and beauty salon.

The usual supply for most domestic dwellings is 240 volts, but because the supply was feeding both shop premises and residential flats a larger supply, of 400 volts, was needed.

Leeds Magistrates Court heard the incident happened as company had to carry out preparatory work before the new supply could be installed, involving digging a trench.

While digging, Mr Phillips struck the existing live service cable with the small breaker he was using.

The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted the firm over the incident.

IPH Investments Ltd, of Haywra Street, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jayne Towey said: “This case was entirely preventable if the company had carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before work began.”