Ithaca Energy hit with £300,000 fine after safety breach
The three men had been tasked with carrying out inspection work at the base of one of the facility's sub-sea columns, but during preparation failings of hardware and incorrect operating procedures caused the bottom of the lift shaft to commence filling with water.
A lack of water alarms at the bottom of the shaft meant the control room was unaware of the situation, and the trio began to descend on the lift.
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They experienced 'a rush of air' before the bottom of the lift made contact with the water.
The men were up to their knees before managing to press the emergency stop button, with no injuries sustained.
The HSE investigation found that water marks on the lift door revealed it had reached a level of just under 1.5 metres before the lift was stopped and returned to surface. Ithaca's own investigation determined that the water level could have actually reached more than three metres, meaning the men would have found it difficult to escape through the top hatch of the lift if the workers had used the lift later and/or had not been successful in bringing the lift to a halt immediately.
HSE issued Ithaca with an improvement notice and work in confined spaces was stopped by the company until February 2021 to allow a full review to take place.
Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited of Queens Road, Aberdeen pleaded guilty to breaching The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, 30 Regulation 4(1) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 33(1)(a). The company was fined £300,000.
HSE inspector Ian Chilley said: 'This was a terrifying incident for the workers involved, we are just thankful that no physical harm came to them.
'This fine should send a message and reminder to those operating offshore facilities for them to be extra vigilant.
'It was only a matter of good fortune that this incident didn't result in serious injury, or worse.'
"When passing sentence, the sheriff observed the case marked 'another reminder of the need for rigorous adherence to health and safety in the oil and gas industry'."
A spokesperson for Ithaca Energy said: "Ithaca Energy takes its responsibilities in relation to the health, safety and welfare of its employees and contractors extremely seriously, and takes considerable pride in its excellent safety record.
"The company has treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and accepts its responsibility for the failings that led to the incident, where thankfully no individual was harmed. A thorough internal investigation was launched immediately, and the company has worked closely with the HSEx to implement and comply with the recommendations of their findings."
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