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Man electrocuted attempting to repair washing machine
15th April 2009
An inquest in January heard how a 47 yearold power station engineer from Sussex had been electrocuted at home last July as he tried to repair the family washing machine.
He had pulled the machine out and removed the top cover in an attempt to repair a fault in the door latch. His arm had come into contact with a live part inside the machine, causing him to stagger across the kitchen before collapsing. His partner, who saw the incident, called an ambulance, but the paramedics were unable to resuscitate him.
The circuit was not protected by an RCD, though such additional protection has since been installed.
The coroner, in reaching a verdict of death by misadventure, said: “Hopefully, anyone hearing the facts of this case, however qualified they think they are, will think twice before attempting to repair a household appliance themselves.”
