English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
Shell and Ampelmann operations fined £1,2m after offshore worker has feet crushed. Injuries, unsafe, investigation.
A serious accident resulted in fines for Shell and Ampelmann operations totaling more than £1,2 million. This occurred after an offshore worker had his feet crushed while walking along a walkway over the North Sea.
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sued both companies following the October 2017 crash off the Norfolk coast. The worker, Martin Hill, from Norwich, then aged 63, was part of a group of maintenance workers who were being transferred in support of Kroonborg. ship heading towards Shell's Galleon PG offshore gas platform. The transfer was carried out in conditions of strong winds and rough seas, when it should not have been, HSE said, highlighting the risks involved.
Ampelmann and the Access Walkway Controversy
Used to access offshore wind farms and platforms, motion compensated or 'walk to work' corridors have a combined mechanical and computerized system that allows them to continue to provide a stable path for people transferring from the ship to the platform or turbine . The distance between the ship and the platform changes with the movement of the sea and the vessel, so any gangway must be telescopic in and out to maintain a complete bridge.
- Billion-dollar offshore deal: PRIO invests US$1,92 billion and takes over 40% of giant offshore field in Brazil after Chinese companies leave
- New gas discovery in South America takes Venezuela to 300,9 BILLION barrels, surpasses Saudi Arabia, Canada and Iraq, and leaves the Middle East eating dust!
- Federal government approves and pre-salt oil will be auctioned! New Chinese dominance?
- China accelerates electric revolution and transforms global market: devastating impact on the automotive industry and oil redefines the economic and environmental scenario of the future!
The Severity of the Accident
When the injury occurred, Hill was walking along the gangway of the support vessel toward the platform before sunrise. Although there was some lighting artificial, there was not enough lighting in the right places, concluded a investigation. Both of Hill's feet were trapped as the walkway approached. The severity of his injuries meant he had to be airlifted to the hospital.
Consequences and Responsibilities
The HSE investigation found that people using the Ampelmann-designed and owned hallways were not sufficiently protected against the risks of entrapment and injury caused by tripping over the moving step. The agency said Ampelmann did not take all reasonably practicable steps to reduce the risk of people's feet becoming trapped in the sliding step. Judge Jeremy Johnson said that although some efforts were made, 'there were some basic errors that persisted for a long time'. Judge Johnson said Shell's instructions to staff conducting the transfers 'were inconsistent and confusing and spread across multiple documents. They were not understood by those operating the system of transfer of walkways. Furthermore, Shell also failed to ensure that the lighting complied with long-standing HSE guidelines. Judge Johnson said in assessing Shell's culpability: 'The problems had existed for a considerable time and were far from minor or isolated.'
Fines and Penalties
Shell UK Limited, of York Road, Lambeth, London, pleaded guilty to infringement. Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974. The company was fined £1.031.250 and ordered to pay £247.000 in costs at Chelmsford Crown Court on 14 December 2023.
Security and Maintenance
HSE inspector John Hawkins said: 'Offshore equipment, whether used in the course of extracting hydrocarbons, as on the gas platform in this case, or in harvesting renewable energy, as in a wind turbine, requires maintenance, and maintenance requires access reliable and Safety. '
Impact on Hill's Wounds
Hill, a grandfather of eight, said he now has difficulty going for walks and carrying out simple DIY tasks as a result of his injuries.
