Vlatko Milenkov was working for Dray Building Ltd when he severed a live 415v electrical cable, receiving severe and extensive burns to his body, face and limbs.

As a result of the accident, in August 2012, Mr Milenkov spent two weeks in a coma and still suffers from long-term psychological problems and persistent pain.

The Health and Safety Executive said it was likely that simple safety measures which were not carried out by the firm, based in Dephna House, North Acton Road, would have prevented the accident occurring.

The company was also ordered to pay £9,882 in costs after admitting a breach of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday last week (16).

Mr Milenkov was among a team hired by Dray Building to strip a property in Seymour Place, Westminster prior to refurbishment. He was using a breaker tool to drill and lever equipment from a wall when he went through a cable, which came into the building from the street outside and ended at a cut-off box.

HSE's investigation found Dray Building had failed to provide suitable signage highlighting the live cable, and failed to provide barriers around the work equipment for other suitable safety measures.

HSE inspector Stephron Baker Holmes (CORRECT) said: “It would have been a straight forward matter to provide suitable warning notices and barriers in this case, and it is likely these simple measures would have prevented an accident like this from happening.

“As a result of Dray Building's failures, however, this man suffered life-changing and initially life-threatening injuries, and the quality of his life remains significantly diminished.”

Dray Building Ltd made no comment when contacted by getwestlondon.