Tyrrell’s Law to improve electrical safety in pubs-Andrew Rosindell MP

Today Monday,1 November backbench M.P. Andrew Rosindell will propose legislation which would improve electrical safety in pubs by mandating regular checks on electrical works, in an attempt to ensure that what happened to Harvey Tyrrell, a young boy electrocuted at a pub in 2018, “never happens again.”

Mr Rosindell will propose the following measures during his speech:

• Checks every five years at a minimum, with local authorities given a range of factors to consider as to whether this should be more frequent 
• Exception for a new build pub which would only need its first check after an initial five year period 
• Checks to be conducted by a qualified person such as a registered electrician 
• Alcohol license to be linked to electrical safety check 
• Local authorities to act as an auditor

In his speech, Mr Rosindell is expected to say that “the regulation regarding electrical safety in pubs is not fit for purpose” adding that “Harvey’s death was completely avoidable.”

Seven-year old Harvey Tyrrell died after being electrocuted by a metal railing made dangerous by a defective light at the King Harold Public House, in Harold Wood, Essex. The pub was in Mr Rosindell’s neighbouring constituency of Hornchurch and Upminster. The individuals responsible have since been given prison sentences.

His mother, Danielle Jones, has campaigned for a change to the law, launching a petition in May 2021 which has since garnered over 50,000 signatures.

Currently, electrical safety at pubs is covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations – Regulation 4. This regulation requires businesses to ensure that electrical installations are constructed and maintained in a way that prevents danger. This includes having the installations regularly tested and keeping record of this. However, as it currently stands, it is down to the duty holder within the business to provide the relevant checks. There is no organisation monitoring whether pubs have complied with this standard.

Mr Rosindell is using a Ten Minute Rule Bill to make the proposals. Ten Minute Rule Bills are a type of Private Members’ Bill. They allow a backbench MP to make his or her case for a new Bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes.

The speech will take place after Business Questions.

Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:

“What happened to Harvey Tyrrell was tragic and completely avoidable. We should all be confident that when visiting pubs they are going to have high standards of electrical safety.

That was clearly not the case in this instance, with years of negligence leading to an intolerable and dangerous situation. It is right that those responsible are now behind bars, but it is also clear that changes to legislation are needed to ensure this never happens again.”

Electrical Safety First Chief Executive Lesley Rudd said:

“Electrical Safety First wholly supports the efforts by Andrew Rosindell MP to address the potentially fatal lapses in electrical safety standards within the hospitality sector. Better regulation is essential for avoiding future tragic incidents like the untimely loss of Harvey Tyrell.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 do not currently place any requirement on business owners to have their electrical installations inspected and tested on a regular basis. The introduction of mandatory electrical safety checks in public houses would help ensure the safety of the installations, the property and, crucially, the customers”.

Danielle Jones, Mother of Harvey Tyrrell said:

“We are amazed that Harvey’s campaign has reached over 51,000 signatures in such a small space of time. It’s imperative that standards need to be raised and adhered to when it comes to electrical works. 

We are truly thankful to Andrew who has supported us and is continuing to help take Harvey’s campaign to the next level.”