BP Exploration Operating Company Limited has today been fined following an uncontrolled release of fluids at the Sullom Voe Terminal, Mossbank, Shetland.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that on 13 December 2016 work was being carried out by BP Exploration Operating Company employees to drain a surge relief line connected to the Ninian pipeline system, within Sullom Voe Terminal Complex. During this procedure a hose was connected to single valve on the pipe and put, unfixed into a manhole. After draining out the water, unstabilised crude oil at high pressure flowed through the hose, which came out of a man-hole resulting in a ‘loss of containment’. This was not noticed for about 30-40 minutes. During this time approximately 3.8 tonnes of extremely flammable, unstablised crude oil spilled on to the ground.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that between 12 November and 13 December 2012 BP Exploration Operating Company Limited had failed to take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and to limit their consequences to persons and the environment. They failed to identify and assess the hazards and risks arising from the under-taking of a non-routine job, namely the task of draining water from a drain valve on a surge relief line.

BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974. The company was fined £400,000.

Speaking after the hearing HSE principal inspector Greg Haywood said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

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A groundworks company has been fined after a security guard suffered serious hand injuries.

Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard how on 17 November 2017 at the site on Ableton Lane in Avonmouth, a plant driver employed by APK Earthmoving Limited requested the assistance of a security guard working for a separate company to remove a trailer from a bulldozer whilst the machine was operated by the driver. The security guard’s right hand was trapped between a metal post and the bulldozer resulting in the amputation of his middle and ring fingers, and loss of movement in his index finger of his right hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that APK Earthmoving Limited had failed to conduct its undertaking, the hire of mobile plant and driver services, in such a way that people not in its employment were exposed to risks to their safety.

APK Earthmoving Limited of Oxfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1297.00.

The injured person said: “I was off work for seven months and I still have a lot of pain in my hand.  As I am right-handed my injuries have affected my writing, and there are many tasks at work and at home that I need help with.  I tend to keep my hand in my pocket because I’m concerned it will affect people if they see my injuries.”

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Berenice Ray said: “This injury could have been easily prevented if a safe system of work had been followed, with the bulldozer ignition turned off before anyone was allowed close to remove the trailer.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess risks and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from their machinery operations.”

Further information about safe techniques can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]

3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk^[3]

The post Groundworks company fined after security guard suffers life changing injuries appeared first on HSE Media Centre.

Both partners of a roofing company have been sentenced following out unsafe work on a Bowls Club in Salisbury.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how between 23 April and 7 May 2018 workers of CB Roofing were seen working on the roof with unsafe access, no edge protection and nothing to prevent falls through the fragile roof material.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the partners failed to ensure that the work at height was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely.

Philip Robert Stanley Spring of Blyth Way, Salisbury pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and has received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, in which time he must undertake 250 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1836.31.

Christopher James Barham of Hughendon Manor, Salisbury pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and has received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, in which time he must undertake 250 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1836.31.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sue Adsett said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]

3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk^[3]

The post Partners of roofing company bowled over for unsafe work appeared first on HSE Media Centre.

Two companies, P.D.R. Construction Limited and Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services Limited, have been fined after a worker fell through a fragile mesh roof whilst carrying out work at height.

Teesside Crown Court heard how, on 21 July 2016, the injured person had been in the process of installing a roof on a new KFC Drive Thru in Coulby Newham. Whilst moving materials on the roof, he stepped backwards onto an adjacent fragile mesh roof that was not loadbearing, falling approximately three metres and suffering multiple fractures of his lower left back.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that in failing to prevent access to the fragile roof area, the roofing contractor, Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services Limited, had failed to plan and carry out the work at height in a safe manner. The investigation also found the principal contractor, P.D.R. Construction Limited, had failed to plan, manage or monitor an aspect of the construction phase without risk to safety.

P.D.R. Construction Limited of Salisbury House, Priory Park West, Hessle pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £225,000 with £8,000 costs.

Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services Limited of Sandgate Industrial Estate, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £2,000.

After the hearing, HSE inspector John Heslop said: “This incident highlights the importance of thorough risk assessment, appropriate planning and adhering to a safe system of work that is regularly monitored and managed by those in control of that work.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

The post Company and sub-contractor fined after worker falls from height appeared first on HSE Media Centre.

One of the individuals with management responsibility of a static caravan site has been sentenced for failing to have gas appliances properly maintained and inspected and failing to safely store Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders.

Nottingham Crown Court heard that concerns were raised in April 2016 by North East Derbyshire District Council relating to Felix Rooney who rented out caravans at Blackbridge Caravan site.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Rooney had no Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificates for the gas appliances in the caravans rented out, some of which were found to be immediately dangerous and had to be disconnected. The LPG cylinders not being used were stored unsafely presenting a risk of fire and explosion.

HSE ensured that all the caravans on the site were inspected by a competent person (a Gas Safe registered engineer) to ensure the gas appliances and fittings were safe.

Felix Rooney of Brandon Lane, Coventry pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was sentenced to an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also instructed to pay full costs of £22,235.00.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Lindsay Bentley said “This case highlights the importance of not only looking after your employees but members of the public too. Gas safety is so important and regular inspections of the gas fittings and equipment in the caravans, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, would have ensured that they did not deteriorate to a condition where they endangered lives.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

The post Man sentenced following gas concerns at Caravan site appeared first on HSE Media Centre.