LIVE Cables found in Wheelie Bin!

Whether you're listening in the van, on site, or down at the wholesale counter, I'm Joe Robinson and I've been through the best of the electrical industry news to save you the trouble. And as always, if you think you've spotted the two words that I've been challenged to slip into this week's show, comment with them below for the chance to win a prize.

A Sheffield Building firm has been fined 550,000 pounds after an electrician fell from a step ladder and was impaled on metal piping. The company was also ordered to pay the dead man's family 200,000 pounds in compensation. Dunbarton Court outside Glasgow found Linbrook Services Limited of Netherland Sheffield, guilty of breaches of both health and safety and working at height regulations.

The court heard that electrician, Matthew Mason, was fatally injured while installing a PA system at Bearsden train station in June, 2018. The 20 year old was trying to free speaker cabling that had become stuck when he fell backwards from a step ladder onto a section of metal piping that was being used as a handle for a cable drum. The piping pierced his side causing internal injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The prosecutor said that the company had failed to assess the risks involved with pulling cables through a conduit at height. It simply didn't make a plan for safe working. This was despite the fact that they had been informed of the problems met by a subcontractor in an earlier attempt. Step ladders were unsuitable for the work and there were insufficient measures to prevent her fall from height.

They also failed to adequately identify the risks involved with the use of improvised cable dispensing methods. Prosecutor Debbie Carroll said that Mason lost his life in circumstances which were foreseeable and avoidable. She said the industry needs to adequately address the risks associated with the use of step ladders. Again, that is just such a tragic story. We at EFIXX send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mason. Please be careful out there, folks.

Still on safety, a warning had gone out this week after an official from UK Power Networks found live cables dumped in a wheely bin. Electrical engineer Chris Slattery said the twin and earth, which was still connected to the 240 volt mains, could have killed someone. The company says that its teams have seen an increase in the number of energized cables left in a dangerous state, whether hanging from fences or tacked onto pieces of wood.

It is now warning builders, demolition workers and homeowners to call their network distributor if they want cables moved.

In other news, it's been revealed that the growth of women in the electrical trade is among the slowest of all the skilled occupations. In 2006, female workers in the electrical industry made up just 1.8%. Today, it's only a little bit higher at 3.18%. In fact, the electrical trade ranks in a dismal 22nd place for gender balance. So what can be done? Well, an organization called "Stopcocks" is attempting to make a difference.

It started as an idea to bring more women into the plumbing industry, hence the name. But now it wants to do the same for electricians and other trades. It's hosting an event next month to explore how to do this. It will also look at other issues affecting female workers on the tools. The Women Installers Together event takes place in London on Tuesday, the 4th of July and is completely free to everyone. I've popped a link to the registration page in the show notes.

And if you are considering taking on a female or male apprentice, Gary and Marcus have created a video to walk you through all the steps. Again, the link is in the notes.

In product news, two Marshall-Tufflex Innovations are hitting the market this month. The first is a brilliant semi-rigid conduit which you can bend by hand. The "MT super tube" as it's known

The new lengths include self-fix mini trunking, which are made from recycled P V C U materials. Also available in 2.4 meter are heavy gauge conduit in both 20 and 25 mill sizes. This range is designed for industrial and commercial applications. Now ask most electricians

what their favorite bit of kit is and many will say it's their multi-function tester. Sparks famously swear by their chosen brand of multi-meter and show intense loyalty almost to the point of hypnosis. But we think we found a standout one that'll tempt a few people to switch. The new T I S eco multifunction tester is both affordable and feature packed and it's one of the best we've seen for insulation-resistance testing.

I'll leave it to Gary, though, to delve into the auto test function and safety voltage options that he says make this tester stand out. Again, the link is in the notes.

While Gary is busy playing with the T I S Eco, Gordon's gone out and about trying to get his electric car charged. But every time he rocks up to a charging station, he discovers that it's already occupied by another electric vehicle. Cue charger rage, and no doubt language as colorful as a parakeet. What to do, wait for hours for the owner to return, only to battle with another driver for the coveted slot? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the smart queuing system.

Specifically the clever queue function from Monitor. To learn more about this "elec-trickery," you'll need to click the final video in the show notes.

And finally, we end on a story of hope and triumph. When 35 year old Rob Parker began his electrical apprenticeship, it was at her Majesty's pleasure. The Mancunian was locked up in H.M Prison Kirkham, in Lancaster for a drug related offense. But while there, he made a decision that the conviction would not come to define him. Parker then applied himself to the task of turning around his life.

He fulfilled a teenage ambition by training as an electrician, but he needed a break to get an apprenticeship.

He earned that right, because of his willingness to learn and develop. He's a great guy, says Scott, who made a mistake but now is back on the right path. What a heartwarming story that is. Now, just before we get to your favorite bit of the show

where I reveal last week's challenge words and winners, we want to thank our premium partners. We couldn't make the news without you. First up, for all your circuit protection needs, They're like having an Italian star striker in your Premiership team. It's Lewden Palazzoli. And the best thing to come out of Yorkshire since stainless steel, and me, it's Doncaster Cables; the home of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and quality cables.

And one of the biggest lighting companies in the world because their capital is always "Dublin": It's Irish lighting manufacturer, Robus; home of great quality and innovative lighting products. Big thanks to you all. We really appreciate your ongoing support for the news. If you think you know the words I've smuggled into this week's show, pop you guess into the comments and we'll dig out a goodie bag prize to the first to get the right answers.

Last week's words were "nemesis" and "umbrella," and the first person to get both right was friend of the show and regular commenter on our fort-nightly livestream, Sean the Spark. Well done to you, Sean, and as an avid viewer of the livestream, you'll know that we don't offer next-day delivery of prizes, but prefer a less optimistic target of at least 28 days. So click the link in the description below to get the ball rolling on claiming your prize.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Electrical News Weekly. Make sure you subscribe to receive the next update. Thanks for listening, until next time, have a great week. Stay safe out there. And remember, there's no such thing as a torque calibrated arm.