Car valeting firm staff ‘at risk of electrocution’

A COUNTY Durham car valeting company must pay out more than £10,000 after safety inspectors found workers were at risk of electrocution.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken action to protect staff at UK Express Valeting Limited based on the Abraham Industrial Estate in Bishop Auckland.

It comes after an HSE investigation found the car cleaning firm was using unsafe equipment and faulty electrical installations which posed a danger to staff.

HSE first visited UK Express Valeting Limited in March 2020 and took enforcement action after inspectors found the business had “unsafe electrical installations” and “inadequate welfare facilities”.

During a second visit in March 2022, HSE found that several electrical installations were badly maintained and dangerous. The company was then served a prohibition notice that prevented it from using some of its equipment because of the risk of electric shock or electrocution.

UK Express Valeting Limited was also served with an improvement notice requiring them to arrange for an electrician to test and inspect its installations and equipment. The company was also required to arrange for any defects identified to be fixed by a professional.

However, the HSE has said the firm did not take any action despite four other visits over seven months.

The HSE investigation found workers at UK Express Valeting Limited were put at “significant risk of electric shock or electrocution by the lack of maintenance and failure to put right the faults found with the electrical installations.” It was also found that the company did not have valid employers’ liability compulsory insurance. The company was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £4,239.80 in costs at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on May 16.