Inverness company Global Energy Nigg Limited was fined after a surveyor died of his injuries which were caused by an electrical explosion
An Inverness company has been fined after a surveyor died from injuries caused by an electrical explosion in 2020.
Christopher Wayne Earley, a father of four and director at CWE Asbestos Consultants Ltd, was carrying out an asbestos survey on 10 December 2020 for Global Energy Nigg Limited at its Shop 7 premises at Nigg Energy Park, in the Cromarty Firth.
Whilst inspecting an electric panel, Mr Early was injured by an electrical explosion.
He suffered burns to a third of his body, affecting his face, right arm, right side of his chest and left hand. Three months later, Mr Earley passed away aged 64 following multiple infections and sepsis complications brought on by his injuries.
The site of the explosion did not have appropriate warning labels
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the switch room Mr Earley was surveying at the time of the incident was not in an appropriate condition.
This created a risk as the live switch panels did not have a warning label indicating they were energised with electricity running through them.
There was no warning of electrical danger at the internal doorway between Shop 7 and the switch room – the internal door itself was missing. This failure to maintain the switch room in an appropriate condition was the underlying cause of the incident.
The surveyor’s death could have been easily prevented
The primary duty of care belonged to Global Energy Nigg Limited, which could have prevented the electrical explosion and later death of the surveyor had appropriate precations been taken.
Global Energy Nigg Limited of Henderson Road, Inverness, Highland pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £80,000 at Tain Sheriff Court on 18 January 2023.
HSE inspector Niall Miller said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
