BP Faces Trial After Death of Scaffolder

Following the death of a Scaffolder at an oil platform in the North Sea in 2014, energy company BP will stand trial, charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The Scaffolder was working as part of a team for a third-party industrial services firm, who were carrying out maintenance on the Unity platform in the North Sea when he fell and sadly sustained fatal injuries.

Now seven years on, BP is facing charges, alleging that they had failed to put sufficient measures in place to ensure those not in their own employment but who still may have been affected, weren’t exposed to health and safety risks. Specifically, the charges state that BP did not have suitable measures with regards to open gratings on the lower deck of the oil platform; as a result of this, the Scaffolder fell through the open grating and into the sea below.

In response to the charges, BP has entered a not guilty plea to Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where they will stand trial early next year.

This incident highlights the fact that work at height considerations are required not just in construction, but across many more industries including oil and gas. Falls from height remain consistent, in being the single biggest cause of fatal injury in the UK, year on year.

SIMIAN and our expert team have a long history of across all industry sectors, supporting those working at height, to ensure that the systems and processes used meet statutory requirements and industry guidelines.

If you would like support in this area, please get in touch with our team today.