Major civil engineering firm Kier has been fined £4.4 million after two separate incidents where its workers struck overhead powerlines while carrying out roadworks on the M6 motorway.
The repeated safety failures created a serious risk to both workers and motorists — with live power cables falling onto the motorway and in one case striking a passing lorry.
HSE Investigation: Repeated Safety Failures
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation after the incidents, which occurred during overnight roadworks between junctions 16 and 18 near Sandbach, Cheshire, as part of the smart motorway upgrade project.
The investigation found that inadequate planning, poor supervision, and missing risk assessments were key contributing factors.
In the first incident (28 March 2018), a Kier team clearing tarmac with a digger struck an 11kV overhead powerline. The line landed across the motorway and nearby field. Despite this, Kier failed to immediately inform Scottish Power, resulting in the cable being re-energised multiple times while traffic continued to pass below — a near-miss with potentially fatal consequences.
In the second incident (21 January 2019), a subcontractor’s team removing temporary barriers hit another unmarked 11kV cable, which was then snapped by an oncoming lorry. The workers told investigators they had not been made aware of the overhead hazards.
Kier Pleads Guilty to Multiple Breaches
At Manchester Crown Court on 12 January 2023, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd of Salford pleaded guilty to multiple safety breaches:
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Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
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Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
The company was fined £4.415 million and ordered to pay £87,759.60 in costs.
HSE: “Serious and Repeated Failures”
HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said:
“This is a significant fine reflecting the seriousness of the failures here.
The company’s failure to plan the work properly and provide an adequate risk assessment put its workers and those using the motorway in significant danger.”
The case highlights that even large and experienced contractors are not immune from prosecution when safety management and supervision fall short.
Lessons for Construction Companies
This case serves as a reminder that poor planning and risk assessment can lead to catastrophic consequences — even on routine or repetitive tasks.
Employers are legally required to ensure:
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Safe systems of work are in place
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Risk assessments are carried out for all activities
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Workers receive proper CITB-accredited training for site safety and equipment use
Failing to do so can result in substantial HSE fines, reputational damage, and — in worse cases — loss of life.
To reduce risk and ensure compliance, construction professionals should undertake recognised safety training such as:
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CITB SMSTS and SMSTS Refresher courses
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CITB SSSTS and SSSTS Refresher courses
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CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA)
All available through Goldcross Training — helping organisations meet legal requirements and maintain the highest safety standards.
👉 Book CITB Site Safety Plus Courses or call 0203 633 5505 for advice on compliance and training.