Firm fined over worker's deathFlowserve (GB) has been fined £150,000 after a worker received fatal injuries while carrying out a pressure test at one of the firm's sites.
Philip Locke was testing a high pressure valve at the company's site in Haywards Heath when it detached from the machine and struck the 21-year-old at high speed.
Locke suffered fatal chest injuries during the incident in May 2008.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found Flowserve (GB) had not carried out an adequate risk assessment and had failed to recognise the risk of parts detaching during pressure tests.
It also found the vent value had not been installed correctly and that there should have been a guard on the back of the machine which would have prevented it injuring Mr Locke when it detached.
Flowserve (GB) Ltd admitted breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Lewes Crown Court. The company was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £66,838.
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