One of Britain’s leading fishing industry firms has been fined £100,000 following the death of apprentice engineer Conor Moseley, aged 20, in the engine room of the trawler Resurgam at Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall. [hsmsearch.com]
On 15 November 2019, Conor Moseley was working alongside other contractors while a fire suppression system was being installed. The system unexpectedly activated, filling the confined engine room with hot, toxic gases. The space had only one means of escape via a ladder and hatch. While other workers managed to get out, Conor was overcome by carbon monoxide and other substances and was unable to escape. Despite rescue attempts, he could not be revived. [discover.swns.com]
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there was:
- No safe system of work to coordinate multiple contractors working in the confined space.
- No effective emergency or rescue plan.
- Inadequate assessment of the risks associated with simultaneous contractor activities.
- No permit-to-work system to control and coordinate the work being undertaken. [ehsnews.digital]
Although W. Stevenson & Sons Limited was not responsible for the unexpected activation of the fire suppression system, the company failed to properly manage the risks created by the work and failed to ensure appropriate emergency arrangements were in place. [ehsnews.digital]
The company pleaded guilty to health and safety offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £100,000, with additional prosecution costs of £27,906. [hseblog.com], [ehsnews.digital]
