Sellafield Ltd has been fined £400,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell from a scaffolding ladder.
The company, which runs the West Cumbrian nuclear site, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates Court and admitted the health and safety breach.
It has been criticised by the nuclear watchdog, which said there were ‘multiple and significant failings by Sellafield Ltd during a prolonged period’ and ‘several missed opportunities’ that could have prevented the accident from happening.
An employee was carrying out repair work in a low active chamber at the Magnox Reprocessing Facility when the incident happened.
The maintenance fitter was asked to fix a leaking pipeline within the reprocessing facility that used to receive and process thousands of tonnes of spent or used nuclear fuel from power stations in the UK and abroad.
On October 12 2021, the fitter and his colleague entered the chamber to carry out repair work, which was slippery due to the leaking acid.
The workers had to climb through pipework and up a scaffolding ladder to reach the leaking pipe, while carrying heavy equipment in challenging working conditions.
While attempting to leave the cell and climb down the scaffolding ladder, one of the workers suffered a fall of about 10ft, which left him badly injured and was taken to hospital.
He sustained fractures to his vertebrae, with injuries that have been described as life-changing with his mobility still significantly affected and him not yet having returned to work.
The company was prosecuted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
Yesterday, at Carlisle Magistrates Court, Sellafield Ltd pleaded guilty for failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees, in relation to the risks arising whilst undertaking maintenance and repair work.
District Judge John Temperley ruled they must pay a fine of £400,000 and pay prosecution costs of £29,210.64.
After Monday’s court hearing, Paul Dicks, ONR’s director of regulation – Sellafield, decommissioning fuel and waste, said: “We welcome today’s outcome which recognises that Sellafield Ltd fell short in its duty to protect a worker.
“This accident was entirely avoidable. Nobody should go to work and not come home in a fit and healthy state.
“A thorough investigation by the Office for Nuclear Regulation identified multiple and significant failings by Sellafield Ltd during a prolonged period.
“There was a failure to adequately plan, organise and deliver this task to repair a leaking pipe. The risks were not adequately controlled and there were failures in the risk assessment.
“We concluded that there were several missed opportunities that could have prevented this accident occurring.”
ONR’s investigation revealed a series of significant failings to provide a safe system of work. It was found how the proposed repair method was repeatedly changed and the potential risks to workers were not suitably considered.
There was also a failure to properly consider how workers could carry a 20kg hydraulic clamp up and down a scaffolding while wearing the additional and bulky clothing needed to enter the chamber.
Mr Dicks added: “Sellafield Ltd co-operated fully with the Office for Nuclear Regulation during this investigation and we welcome their prompt guilty plea.
“The safety of workers at nuclear facilities remains paramount, and as an independent regulator, we want to see continuing improvements in conventional health and safety on the site.
“Through our inspectors’ regular scrutiny, we will continue to hold the UK nuclear industry to account in order to protect workers and the public.”
