Companies fined £600,000 after man fatally electrocuted

Craig Stocker died on December 13, 2017, while fixing a food waste disposal unit at Bishops Wood Hospital in Northwood, Middlesex.

The 36-year-old - who was originally from Stevenage, but lived in Letchworth - came into contact with a metal section of the macerator that had been electrified as water had entered the machine’s wiring.

The macerator was not protected by an earth wire and there was no residual current device to prevent fatal exposure to the electrical current.

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), found that Imperial Machine Company’s design of the macerator had serious flaws, and that the earthing wire could be connected in a way that meant it was ineffective, and the equipment was also permanently live.

The macerator which electrocuted Mr Stocker, can be seen under the sink. (Image: Health and Safety Executive)

It was also found that when it was installed by McFarlane Telfer in 2013, they had not acted on the manufacturer’s instructions, which required a residual current device to be fitted.

BMI Healthcare, who operated the hospital, did not identify that the residual current device had not been fitted, and the machine was operated for several years before the incident occurred.

Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, BMI Healthcare - now called Circle Health Group Limited - was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work ect. Act 1974. 

They were fined £450,000 and ordered to pay £106,895 in costs on October 3, 2023.

McFarlane Telfer Limited was also found guilty of the same breaches, fined £70,000 and ordered to pay £106,753 in costs on October 3, 2023.

On March 2, 2022, Imperial Machine Company Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 6(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £12,945 in costs at Southwark Crown Court on October 3, 2023.

The kitchen at Bishops Wood Hospital, where Craig was working at the time. (Image: HSE)

Serviceline, who Mr Stocker was working for when he died, were found not guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

READ MORE: Police appeal after man 'stabbed' in Stevenage underpass

Craig’s wife, Leah, paid tribute to her husband, saying: "Craig and I would enjoy dinners out, trips to the cinema, day trips to the seaside and we loved to go on holidays, with Tenerife being a particular favourite.

"Craig was a family man, both with his own family and my family and not forgetting his lads holidays with Martin, Owen and many other of his friends.

"Craig would also enjoy spending time with his childhood friend Mark, who he spent a lot of time with sharing his interests with, particularly American football and WWE shows.

"He was a kind-hearted man who was a hardworking, caring individual. He was the life and soul of any party.

"On the day that Craig died, our lives changed in many ways. Nothing can prepare you for this, nothing can prepare you for the psychological and emotional turmoil this causes to one’s mental health.

"Craig is missed by many people, myself and his mum Dianne in particular. Craig you are missed, you will always be missed, but forever in our thoughts and hearts you will remain."

HSE inspector, Kevin Shorten, added: "Our thoughts today are with the family of Mr Stocker.

"He should have returned home safely at the end of his working day but, because of the failings of these three companies, he did not.

"The fines imposed should underline to manufacturers, contractors and building owners that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to ensure electrical safety extremely seriously.

"We will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should to keep people safe."