Firm fined £200,000 after three staff injured in slurry accident

An electricity power station company has been fined £200,000 after three maintenance contractors were injured.

The three contractors were injured by a sudden release of water and sludge while carrying out maintenance work at a Cheshire power station.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 18 January 2018, three workers contracted by Keadby Generation Limited, were removing a recirculation pump for maintenance in the Flue Gas Desulphurisation area of Fiddlers Ferry Power Station in Warrington.

Approximately 38.5 cubic metres of diluted slurry and associated stored energy was released while the pump was being removed, resulting in the contractors being knocked off the concrete plinth where they had been working.

The three workers sustained multiple fracture injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the pressurised contents of the pump and associated pipework had not been discharged prior to work commencing due to the drain pipe being blocked.

This resulted in the release of stored energy during the removal of the pump instead of during the isolation process.

Keadby Generation had failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the hazards and risks associated with the work and had not implemented a safe system of work.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to breaching sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The firm was fined £200,000 with costs of £7,163.

HSE inspector Jane Carroll said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided if the company had identified and managed the risks involved and put a safe system of work in place.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”