Best Car Wash Ltd in Tavistock has been fined £40,000 and ordered o pay costs of £3,164 for failing to adequately protect workers and the public.
Multiple visits were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to the car wash between July 2021 and November 2022. The investigation discovered electrical hazards due to the fact employees were washing cars outdoors, using electrical equipment such as pressure washers and vacuum cleaners, but systems were not in place to prevent danger to employees and members of the public.
Five enforcement notices were subsequently issued, but follow-up visits confirmed they had not been complied with. This meant electrical safety risks to vulnerable workers persisted for longer than they should have. It wasn't until April 2023 that a competent person was brought in to inspect, test and repair the installation.
Best Car Wash Ltd was eventually found guilty of breaching both the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations SI 1989/635. HSE Principal Inspector Helena Allum said "We can and will prosecute if companies fail to comply with enforcement notices. Those in control of work have a responsibility to ensure safe methods of working. The dangers associated with electricity in a work environment are well known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE.”
