A marquee manufacturing and hire company, Big Tops Ltd, has been prosecuted after it erected a wedding tent directly under a power line. The Nottingham-based company placed dozens of people at risk of death or serious injury by erecting the tent in a farmer's field, so that it was touching a live electrical cable.
The company admitted two charges of putting at risk its employees and members of the public in July 2007, and was left with a court bill of more than £10,000 in fines and costs after failing to ensure that the electricity lines were switched off before a reception in the tent.
Neil Scott, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said, "The tent was in contact with a live electricity cable and this equipment was used by significant numbers of people. All were put at risk of death or serious injury."
Fortunately, the father-of-the bride spotted the danger. The power was subsequently switched off and the reception went ahead with the use of generators.
Mr Scott said the marquee could have been erected away from the power lines in another part of the field. However, John Rodmell, managing director of the company, insisted that there was nowhere else in the field to put the tent up. He also stated his staff were told at the scene that the power had already been switched off, although this claim was denied by the HSE. Mr Rodmell said the company had no convictions for health and safety offences in 30 years and added that the company might have to fold because of a fall in business.
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