Christopher Wayne Earley, a director at CWE Asbestos Consultants, was carrying out an asbestos survey on 10th December 2020 when an electric panel that he was inspecting exploded.
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, a father-of-four, died following multiple infections and sepsis complications brought on by his injuries. He was 64.
He had been carrying out the survey for Global Energy Nigg Limited at its Shop 7 premises at Nigg Energy Park in the Cromarty Firth.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the switch room that Mr Earley was surveying was not in an appropriate condition. The live switch panels had no warning label indicating that they were energised with electricity running through them.
Nor was there any 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 HSE determined, and the primary duty of care belonged to Global Energy Nigg.
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. It was fined £80,000 at Tain Sheriff Court on 18th 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.”
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