HSE warns offshore industry over risk assessment following prosecution of Shell and Amec

Date:

26 November 2008

Release No:

E121:08

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers working offshore to ensure adequate risk assessments are in place following HSE’s prosecution of two multinational companies after the death of a technician offshore.

Shell UK Limited and Amec Group Limited were fined £150,000 each (total £300,000) and ordered to pay £41,500 in costs each (total £83,000), at Norwich Crown Court today (Wednesday 26 November 2008) after pleading guilty of breaching sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 respectively at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on 1 August 2008.

Shell UK Limited had breached section 3 and Amec Group Limited had breached section 2 (see notes to editors for wording of these sections of the Act).

On 11 November 2005, Mr David Soanes from Lowestoft was removing stair treads on the Sole Pit Clipper offshore gas installation, situated in the southern North Sea 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.

Mr Soanes was employed by Amec Group Limited, who provided staff and services for Shell UK Limited, who operated the Clipper installation.

HSE Principal Inspector, Dr David Perry said:

"This incident resulted from Shell and Amec failing to manage well known and readily foreseeable hazards, in particular falling from height. Had the companies carried out adequate risk assessments and implemented and supervised the necessary control measures, including the use of a fall arrest harness, this accident could have been avoided.  HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a way."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
2. Section 3(1) of the Act states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.”
3. For more information on managing risks in the workplace www.hse.gov.uk/risk

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR.