US$3.8 million fine for tragic death of “much loved” demolition worker

(PHOTO: Ministry of Justice/GOV.UK)

According to local media outlets in the East Anglia region of the country, Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Monday 22 July) issued the multi-million-pound fine to Veolia at a sentencing hearing.

The East Anglian Daily Times reported that Veolia had previously admitted health and safety failings that contributed to the death of 62-year-old Stephen Picken, who died on the morning of October 17, 2019, whilst carrying out dismantling works to a decommissioned oil and gas rig at the Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour port.

Stephen - a specialist in cutting metals with oxy-propane equipment, and his colleague, Mark Kumar, were working in a vehicle-mounted aerial platform at a height of roughly 45 ft (14 m).

As Stephen was cutting the rig, a large piece of metal fell from above. The object struck the platform, “catapulting the men off” and down to the ground.

While his colleague suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the incident, Stephen died at the scene and his death was later ruled an accident at an inquest at the Norfolk Coroner’s Court.

It has been reported that at yesterday’s sentencing hearing at Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Martyn Levett said: “It was a foreseeable accident that could have been avoided”, and that there were failings that fell far short of the standards recognised in the decommissioning industry.

The court had also heard that “no cutting plans had been produced for the work being undertaken, to show where, how and what angle to make cuts during the demolition”.

In addition to the £3 million fine, Judge Levett also ordered Veolia to pay costs amounting to £60,000 (US$78,000).

He added that a financial penalty “cannot put a price on the life of a much loved man”, and offered his condolences to Stephen’s family.

Veolia comments on court ruling

D&Ri reached out to Veolia for comment and Richard Hulland, Veolia Chief Risk & Assurance Officer, said: “We are devastated by the event that occurred at our Great Yarmouth decommissioning facility in 2019.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Stephen Picken who sadly died and with Mark Kumar, who was seriously affected by the accident.

“Stephen and Mark were both hugely talented members of the team and well regarded by all who knew and worked with them.”

Richard added: “The judge commented on Veolia’s good safety record in this field and accepted our guilty plea, and we acknowledge the court’s findings.”

“Veolia takes health and safety very seriously and following our own investigation we have implemented a number of measures to prevent anything similar from happening again.

“We have fully cooperated with the Health and Safety Executive and we will continue to support the HSE on improving safety within the decommissioning sector.”

UK construction company hit with huge fine after worker’s death UK-based construction contractor BAM Nuttall has been ordered to pay a fine of nearly £2.4 million (US$3.1 million) after the death of a worker in 2017