03/11/2015
Two international companies have been found guilty of breaching health and safety regulations which subsequently caused the death of one employee and serious injury to another during construction of an offshore windfarm.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard both workers were employed by Siemens Windpower A/S (SWP) but were working for Fluor Ltd, the principal contractor.
Fluor Ltd was found guilty of breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was today ordered to pay £275,000 in fines and £271,048 costs.
Siemens Windpower A/S (SWP) was charged with the same offence and also a Section 2 (1) breach of the same Act. They were also sentenced today and ordered to pay £375,000 in fines with costs of £105,355.
Unsuitable Health and Safety Procedures
The two men were injured whist loading wind turbine blades onto a sea barge. During the operation, a 2.11 tonne part of the blade fell off, crushing one of the workers to death and causing life-changing injuries to the other.
The investigation that followed the incident found that safety failings in the management procedures resulted in equipment not being checked before it was lifted.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Julie Rayner said: “This incident could easily have been avoided had suitable systems and procedures been in place to ensure that all loads were properly connected whilst being lifted.
“Had the right questions been asked when the lift was being planned and had the bolt and two brackets holding the blade and frame together been checked before they were lifted, the death and serious injury of two workers could have been prevented.
“This case clearly highlights the need to ensure that relevant information is considered when lift plans are produced to ensure that all of the relevant risks are considered.”
Fisher Scoggins Waters are a London based law firm who are experts in construction, manufacturing and engineering matters. If you have recently had a health and safety incident occur in your workplace, please phone us on 0207 993 6960.