Diving injury leads to company fine

Beverley Magistrates’ Court heard how on 29 August 2017 a Northern Divers (Engineering) Ltd employee’s finger became trapped whilst fitting a cofferdam underwater at Immingham Port, causing the finger to be severed.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the work was not properly planned, managed or conducted in a manner which protected the health and safety of all persons taking part in the project, thereby exposing employees to serious risk of entrapment and injury.

Northern Divers (Engineering) Ltd of Humber Place, Hull, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (1) of the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 in relation to the incident and have been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,369.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Booker said, “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”