Rank: Super forum user 
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Hello. An external engineer has just worked on our sideloader forklift, looking at an electrical problem. He left the site after giving us the ok to use it. Within 10 minutes of use the forklift cut out and a small fire was discovered in electrical section. A fire extinguisher was used (CO²) and the fire put out. It is obvious that the forklift will not be fixed for aver 24 hours. RIDDOR states
4 Any explosion or fire caused by an electrical short circuit or overload (including those resulting from accidental damage to the electrical plant) which either: - results in the stoppage of the plant involved for more than 24 hour; or
- causes a significant risk of death.
So on the face of it this is reportable. However, upon further investigation it looks like the engineer has moved a wire onto the manifold, causing the wire to melt, causing a short-circuit and a fire.
So did the fire cause the short circuit, or the short circuit cause the fire? And is the HSE interested in battery short circuits, or only fixed wiring? Personally I think this is a report just in case example, but I am interested in your opinions. Also, in my opinion, there was not a significant risk of death.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Actually scrub that, I somehow missed the important part in schedule 2.2
25 Any unintentional explosion or fire in any plant or premises which results in the stoppage of that plant, or the suspension of normal work in those premises, for more than 24 hours. That seems pretty black and white to me
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Well it all depends on how you interpret "plant". Does it mean "machine, vehicle etc." (as in "plant crossing") or "factory etc." (as in "chemical plant")? I always thought the latter for this purpose. Not the best written legislation, is it?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Good point. The examples aren't clear either. I haven't reported yet, as I have an engineer back today and I want to check it is terminal (it looks like it is).
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Rank: Super forum user 
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From HSE web site, the last sentence could be important here. "The incident is reportable even if the system in which the damaged equipment was installed is put back into service using new equipment within 24 hours. In such a case an assessment should be made of how long a repair to the damaged equipment would have taken had it been attempted. Repair time does not include incidental time delays such as those associated with travelling to repair plant in remote locations, or with sourcing parts." Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Chris, that is only mentioned on the electrical fires section. We are now pretty sure it was the cables touching the manifold that caused the fire, since all the fuses are still in tact. The "explosions or fire" in the second section pertaining to anywhere other than off-shore doesn't mention that, and only gives the examples 25 Any unintentional explosion or fire in any plant or premises which results in the stoppage of that plant, or the suspension of normal work in those premises, for more than 24 hours. This definition covers serious fires and explosions at work premises. Examples of the type of incident which would be reportable are: - any fire at a factory or office building, causing the suspension of work activities for more than 24 hours or
- an explosion involving dust in a pneumatic conveying system, causing stoppage of the conveying plant for more than 24 hours
So basically only if a repair would have taken 24 hours of work time? Since sourcing and travelling are not counted? It also mentions that it covers serious fires, this most certainly was not serious, the flame was about the size of my open hand.
Currently I probably will still report, since I have nothing to hide, it was not our fault by the maintenance company's own admission.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Reference Kate's point, I don't think "plant" is defined in RIDDOR as it's defined in Section 53 of the the parent Act (HSWA 1974) " plant " includes any machinery, equipment or appliance
So, in my book a fork lift truck is "plant". Ergo reportable for reasons given by the CptBeaky. Going back to the original question..... 4 Any explosion or fire caused by an electrical short circuit or overload (including those resulting from accidental damage to the electrical plant) which either: - results in the stoppage of the plant involved for more than 24 hour; or
- causes a significant risk of death.
Whether the incident casues "a significant risk of death" is immaterial due to the inclusion of the word "or" in the regulations. It meets sub paragraph 1, so that sub paragraph 2 doesn't come into the equation. [First principle of Judicial interpretation - "literal interpretation" - which in Plain English means that you have to read the text the way it is written] P
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 3 users thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry I thought it was electrical as mentioned in your OP. However, if it is general fire etc then you could simply hire a replacement Fork truck and be back up and running (this is specifically excluded for electrical but not general fire). So, either way I don’t think I would report this. Riddor is so much fun isn’t it. Chris
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1 user thanked chris42 for this useful post.
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