Stephen Picken and Mark Kumar were working for Veolia ES (UK) Limited at an onshore facility in Great Yarmouth. Both men were working as demolition operatives also known as “top men”, undertaking the decommissioning and dismantlement of offshore structures.
On 17 October 2019, the two workers were removing an overhanging piece of metal pipework, weighing more than 27 tonnes, from a jacket (a structure placed in the sea, designed to support oil and gas rig platforms), when it gave way. The pile struck the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) containing the men, throwing them to the ground 12 metres below.
Picken died at the scene and Kumar is said to be suffering “serious life-changing injuries”.
‘Serious failings’
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified “serious failings” with the planning and the risk assessment which did not adequately cover the planned works.
Shortcomings in supervision of the incident were also noted. The company did not risk assess the skirt pile being removed as it was considered low risk.
Veolia pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At a sentencing hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on 22 July 2024, the company was fined £3 million and ordered to pay £60,000 in costs.
HSE inspector David King said: “This incident, in an emerging industry, highlights the level of controls required to safely demolish what are large, dangerous structures. Veolia did not meet these standards and tragically one life was lost, and another forever changed.
“The Health and Safety Executive’s mission is to protect people and places. Organisations that endanger their employees by failing to meet the required standards, should be aware that we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.”
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