Three firms fined over £1.5m as worker suffers life-changing injuries

Dennis Chadwick was conducting a pressure test of a boiler at the biomass power station, when a valve on the rig was pressurised above the safe working limit and failed.

This caused the hose and metal fitting assembly to strike Chadwick on the right leg, causing serious compound fractures, said HSE, which investigated the incident.

In July I had my leg amputated from the knee down and I will now have to learn to walk with a prosthetic but I am determined to get my life back

Dennis Chadwick

Chadwick’s leg was amputated as a result of his injuries. He said: “It has been nearly four years since I was injured. My life changed that day and the impact on my family and me has been immense. In July I had my leg amputated from the knee down and I will now have to learn to walk with a prosthetic but I am determined to get my life back.”  

Sembcorp Utilities was fined £1.35m and ordered to pay costs of £33,000, Central Industrial Services was fined £125,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 costs, and R & A Kay Inspection Services was fined £37,500 with £33,000 costs.

Following the hearing at Teesside Crown Court, HSE principal inspector Victoria Wise said: “All three companies failed Mr Chadwick. If appropriate pressure relief had been fitted and the companies had put in place a system of work that was safe then Dennis would not have exposed to the harm he suffered.”