Veolia’s multi-million-pound fine over recycling death

The UK’s biggest waste manager has been fined £3 million (EUR 3.6 million) after a man died and another was seriously injured while decommissioning a North Sea gas rig.

Stephen Picken, 62, and Mark Kumar were working as demolition operatives for Veolia ES (UK) at an onshore facility in Great Yarmouth. On 17 October 2019, they were removing an overhanging piece of metal pipework known as a skirt pile.

The 27 tonne gave way, striking the mobile elevating work platform containing the men, throwing them to the ground 12 metres below. Picken died at the scene and Kumar suffered serious life-changing injuries.

‘Serious failings’

According to a report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), serious failings were identified with the planning and the risk assessment.

‘Shortcomings in supervision of the incident were also identified. The company did not risk assess the skirt pile being removed as it was considered low risk. As a result, there was no cutting plan or safe system of work for the skirt pile.’

Admission

Veolia ES (UK) admitted breaching the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act at Ipswich Crown Court on 22 July 2024. The company was fined £3 million and ordered to pay £60 000 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector David King said: ‘This incident, in an emerging industry, highlights the level of controls required to safely demolish what are large, dangerous structures. Veolia did not meet these standards and tragically one life was lost, and another forever changed.’

Veolia’s chief risk and assurance officer, Richard Hulland, said the company had been ‘devastated’ by the event.

‘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.

‘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.’