20.06.2017

Verdict on boom crush fatality

UK-based contractor Pyeroy has been fined £130,000 plus more than £14,000 costs following a fatal crushing incident with a boom lift.

The incident occurred in October 2013 at the Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth when Keith Stevens, 57, was working from the platform of an articulated boom lift at a height of around 14 metres. He was helping remove a temporary plastic roof above the submarine HMS Conqueror, cutting the plastic sheeting from between the beams of the structure on behalf of dockyard operators Babcock, which had rented in the platform. See the original incident report
Colleagues on the ground picking up the plastic as it was thrown down, suddenly noticed that Stevens was slumped over the controls of the machine and trapped against one of the beams. Sadly none of them knew how to operate the boom lift, the site supervisor had gone off site for a blood test, and the only other person who could operate the machine was also off site.
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The work scene with boom alongside the submarine

The men below climbed up the structure in order to try and rescue him, but it took at least 20 minutes before they were able to relieve the pressure which was too late. Sevens died of an enlarged heart which caused sudden cardiac arrhythmia. It is entirely possible that his pre-existing condition caused him to have the attack and slump over the controls causing the crush incident to occur? However the court found that there was a lack of planning for the work, including an absence of a rescue plan in the case of an operator becoming incapacitated. No one on site had been instructed on the use of the lower controls, although it was acknowledged that it may not have changed the outcome in this case.

Judge Ian Lawrie clearly stated that the company's failings had not caused the accident, while the inquest jury failed to come to a conclusion on what happened. "There was an unacceptable delay in getting the basket down. With the benefit of hindsight, it is unlikely that Mr Stevens could have been helped. But that is not the point," said Lawrie. “It was unfortunate that the only other man who could have operated the machine was not present at the time.”

HSE inspector Helena Allum added: “If Pyeroy had trained other employees to use the platform in emergency situations, Mr Stevens would have been lowered to the ground more swiftly. This case highlights the need for duty holders to properly plan all work at height beforehand, including emergency planning and rescue situations.”

Speaking for the company Ben Compton QC reading a statement from the company said: "We express our sincerest apologies. The loss of Keith has had a massive lasting impact on the business and everyone who knew him. We have lost a valued employee, colleague and friend. A civil claim has been settled in full.”

He later added: "We are not looking at a bad company, but a good company which has made a mistake. This is an extremely competent and well-managed company which puts health and safety at the forefront of its operations. It drew up an innovative plan to erect a roof over the submarine which reduced the need to work at height. But took its eye off the ball and did not consider the risk of an operator becoming incapacitated in the basket.”

“The company immediately draw up rules to change its procedures, including making sure a trained operator was always on the ground when a cherry picker was working. All crane and work at height operations now have their own rescue plans.”