UK HSE: Incident during rig decommissioning leads to fatality

The United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a press release relating to an incident whilst decommissioning a North Sea gas rig, in which one person died and another was seriously injured.

What happened

Two men were working as demolition operatives, also known as “Top Men”, undertaking the decommissioning and dismantlement of offshore structures which had been brought ashore. The two workers were removing an overhanging piece of metal pipework (known as a skirt pile), weighing in excess of 27 tonnes, from a gas rig jacket when it gave way. The pile struck the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) containing the men, throwing them to the ground about 12 metres below.

One worker died at the scene and the other suffered serious life-changing injuries.

What went wrong

HSE investigation identified:

• Serious failings with the planning and the risk assessment which did not adequately cover the planned works;
• Shortcomings in supervision;
• The company did not risk assess the skirt pile being removed as it was considered low risk. As a result there was no cutting plan or safe system of work for the skirt pile.
• HSE noted that demolition, dismantling and structural alteration work must be carefully planned and carried out – HSE has guidance on this.
• After the hearing, the HSE inspector noted: This incident, in an emerging industry, highlights the level of controls required to safely demolish what are large, dangerous structures. These standards were not met and tragically one life was lost, and another forever changed.

Members may wish to refer to:

• UK HSE: worker died following fall from crane platform
• Fatality: Fall from height in shipyard
• Near miss – grating dislodged and fell, leading to crewman slipping
• Raising awareness on safety barriers such as railings and gratings