On 10th December 2022 Miguel Galvao was working as a drainage engineer for utilities contractor Lanes Group. When priming the jetting hose, a loud explosion was heard and the end of the hose whipped up at high speed, striking him.
Galvao, aged 51, was rushed to hospital and put into an induced coma to stabilise but after two weeks doctors lost hope. His life support was switched off on 27th December.
The morning of the incident was very cold, with witnesses describing temperatures dropping to around -3 to -4 degrees. Water was being filled into the jetting system (hose, pumps and filters) prior to jetting. The end of the hose was suspended in an inspection chamber when a large pressure release, thought to be due to a build-up of ice in the system, caused the end of the hose to strike Galvao in the face. He had been with the company for nearly 10 years
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Lanes Group had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees. The major failings identified during the investigation were:
- there was no safe system of work detailing how priming of the jetting system should be done safely
- there was a failure to maintain work equipment in an efficient state, as a number of other jetting vehicles were seen with defective vices
- there was a failure to monitor use of physical control measures in place
- employees were not provided with sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision.
During the investigation, the Water Jetting Association, a trade association representing those carrying out high pressure water jetting,reminding operators of the importance of restraining or anchoring the end of the jetting hose.
Lanes Group Limited of C/O Elements Ring Rd, Lower Wortley, Leeds LS12 6AB pleaded guilty to breaches under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined 拢800,000, reduced from 拢1.2m due to an early guilty plea, and ordered to pay 拢8,680 in full costs and a 拢2,000 victim surcharge at City of London Magistrates鈥� Court on 2nd October 2025.
HSE inspector Marcus Pope said: 鈥淭his absolutely tragic incident further demonstrates the need for companies to ensure there are suitable safe systems of work for non-routine work, such as work in freezing temperatures where machines are at risk of freezing.
鈥淭his investigation and the input from the Water Jetting Association should help demonstrate to the industry the importance of restraining or anchoring the end of jetting hoses when priming systems.鈥�
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