Two companies have been fined a total of £243,500 after a worker lost his leg during the installation of an offshore wind turbine.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Talisman Energy and Scaldis Salvage & Marine Contractors were fined for the incident which took place on 25 August 2006, 20 km offshore in the Moray Firth.
Beatrice Windfarm Turbine B was one of two wind turbine generators which were being built to provide power to the Beatrice AP Oil Platform.
Alexander Murray, 48, from Aberdeen, was standing on a partly completed structure while another part was lowered into place by a heavy lift vessel, when the part swung towards him and crushed his left leg. The incident resulted in Murray requiring to undergo the amputation of his leg
The case was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and reported to with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Health and Safety Division. Specialist prosecutors from that Division then prepared the case for prosecution and brought the case to court, resulting in a guilty plea being tendered from the two companies.
Following the case, Elaine Taylor, head of the COPFS Health and Safety Division, said: "Failures to properly respect health and safety can have a huge impact on people's lives. Everyone has the right to a safe working environment. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure this. When they fail to meet their responsibilities they can expect to be prosecuted.
"Working alongside colleagues in the HSE, our specialist prosecutors use their experience and expertise to meet the challenges of these complex and serious cases.
"In this case, as a result of this joint working, both companies pleaded guilty which meant that the case was resolved without the case proceeding to trial and witnesses being required to give evidence."
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