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May/June 2023 issue

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Work equipment
Sector: Energy
News

*UPDATE* £1.75m fine for ScottishPower for neglecting faulty valve

Open-access content Tuesday 7th June 2016
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

rexfeatures_5618820a_0

As we reported last week the employee was attempting to close the drain valve at Longannet Power Station in Alloa, when it opened unexpectedly, releasing high-pressure steam. He sustained burns to his chest and legs.

The HSE found that though SPG was aware of the fault, it failed to ensure appropriate steps were taken to either repair the valve or take it out of use.

A chain and padlock and safety notice were attached to the valve as a short-term measure, however these were later removed.

The HSE issued an improvement notice, which SPG fully complied with, requiring the company to devise a written system of work including periodic checks of locked equipment to verify its physical condition.

SPG was fined £1.75m after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

While the sentencing guidelines do not apply in Scotland, the HSE said Sheriff Charles MacNair referred to the guidelines when establishing the level of penalty.

He described SGP's culpability as high, the harm level as category B (reflecting the scalded employee's permanent or irreversible condition) and a harm likelihood category of 2 (high).

SGP's turnover was above £50m, putting it in the large organisation category. The category range for the fine was £550,000 to £2.9m with a £1.5m starting point.

The initial fine was £2.5m but reduced to £1.75m after the company submitted an early guilty plea.

You may also be interested in...

Image credit: ©Deadline News/REX/Shutterstock

 £1.75m fine for ScottishPower for neglecting faulty valve

Thursday 2nd June 2016
The employee sustained burns to his chest and legs on 12 October 2013 when he opened a faulty valve which emitted high pressure steam.  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that SPG was aware of the fault but failed to ensure appropriate steps were taken to either repair the valve or take it out of use.  SPG was fined £1.75m after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Open-access content
©iStock/Alan Crawford

 Young Watling Tyres worker killed by exploding tyre

Thursday 2nd June 2016
Watling Tyres employee Matthew Hoare was repairing a puncture on a loading shovel’s tyre when the accident happened.  The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) investigation found that Hoare was working alone and using equipment that had not been properly maintained. He was not trained or competent to carry out the task.  After already pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act at a hearing on 29 January, Watling Tyres was yesterday fined and ordered to pay costs of £99,485.
Open-access content

 Arm amputation followed ‘horrific incident’ at recycling plant

Friday 27th May 2016
The Nick Brookes Recycling employee was working on an infeed conveyor which transfers waste brought by skip wagons onto a picking line. On 8 August 2013 he was dragged into the conveyor and his right arm had to be amputated up to his shoulder. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Chester Crown Court that the conveyor belt was in extremely poor condition, jammed frequently, and was not guarded. Workers were not sufficiently informed, trained or supervised.
Open-access content

 £94k penalty for energy co that exposed workers to explosion risk

Thursday 26th May 2016
The company’s main activity involved injecting natural gas into depleted underground oil reservoirs for storage. On 26 February 2014, during a maintenance operation, around 145 kg of natural gas was released into the atmosphere, along with some crude oil that spilled on to the concrete process area. The two employees who were carrying out the maintenance work were unharmed, however they were exposed to a risk of fire and explosion as the release formed a flammable gas cloud.
Open-access content

 Bakery pays £45,000 after powered bowl mixer injury

Tuesday 24th May 2016
The Haydens Bakery worker’s ring finger required partial amputation after the 3 March 2015 accident. The Health and Safety Executive found that the company had modified the machine by adding a securing clip to a rotating shaft but failed to identify and address the additional risk created.
Open-access content
There was a crack in the sidewall of the loading shovel's tyre | Image credit © HSE

 *UPDATE* Untrained fitter killed fixing loading shovel tyre

Monday 27th June 2016
Matthew Hoare, a mobile tyre fitter for Watling Tyre Services (read previous story from earlier this month), was sent out alone to repair the puncture on a wheel of a loading shovel at brick maker Hammill Brick in Kent. He was carrying out a plug repair, when the 1.4 m-diameter tyre failed and exploded.
Open-access content
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Sector: Energy
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