28 November 2008
The Health and Safety Executive has warned employers in the offshore sector to ensure adequate risk assessments following the prosecution of two multinational companies after the death of a technician.
Shell UK and Amec Group were each fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £41,500 in costs after pleading guilty of breaching sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
On 11 November 2005, the technician was removing stair treads on the Sole Pit Clipper offshore gas installation just off the Norfolk coast. He fell about five metres to the landing below through the space created by removing two treads and suffered severe head and leg injuries. He was employed by Amec Group, who provided staff and services for Shell UK, who operated the Clipper installation.
HSE said the incident resulted from Shell and Amec failing to manage well-known and readily foreseeable hazards, in particular falling from height. The HSE noted that had the companies carried out adequate risk assessments and implemented and supervised the necessary control measures, including the use of a fall arrest harness, the accident could have been avoided.
“HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a way,” the HSE said.
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