Warning issued by coroner after death on HS2 site
His Majesty’s Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull has called for safety improvements following the death of a man at a HS2 site.
Charles Harper, 71, was struck by the tail end of a coiled pipe as a result of stored energy, causing serious abdominal and chest injuries on April 27, 2023, he died the following day.
Following an investigation into his death, Coroner James Bennett has written to The Pipeline Industries Guild and British Drilling Association, to prevent future deaths as a number of drilling or pipe dispensing companies will likely be members of either organisation.
He said: “The operating manual for the coil trailer, and method statement and risk assessment for the work, all identified the risk of the tail end of coiled pipe springing as a consequence of stored energy, and that it should be secured to the trailer.
“No such securing mechanism was utilised on 27 April 2023 and this contributed to Mr Harper’s death.
“A material number of drilling and pipe dispensing companies have in the past, and continue, to dispense coiled pipe without the use of any method of securing the tail end of the pipe coil, contrary to trailer operating manual instructions”.
He added: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken, you are in a position to take preventative action”.
The letter was sent to the Chief Coroner of England & Wales, alongside interested parties including Morrison Water Services, Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture, Steve Vick International and ATE (major manufacturers of coil trailers), Aviva Insurance, Health and Safety Executive and West Midlands Police.
