BP found guilty after worker died in offshore fall in 2014

Sean Anderson fell to his death in 2014

Energy firm BP has been found guilty of breaching health and safety laws after a worker died when he fell from an offshore platform into the sea.

Sean Anderson, 43, fell through an open grating on the Unity installation, about 112 miles (180km) north-east of Aberdeen, on 4 September 2014.

Mr Anderson, from the Tyne and Wear area, fell about 72ft (22m) into the water.

The jury's verdict followed an eight-day trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

BP said afterwards it was a "tragic" case.

Mr Anderson fell through an open grating

Fiscal depute Kristina Kelly, prosecuting for the Crown, had said BP operated Unity at the time, and Mr Anderson worked for Cape which was carrying out work on the platform.

In agreed evidence, Ms Kelly said that at about 04:00 on the day in question the scaffolder, who was not wearing a lifejacket, fell through an open grate into the sea.

The alarm was raised and a fast-rescue craft found Mr Anderson face down in the water and he was taken aboard.

• BP on trial after worker died in offshore fall

• Oil platform death fall man named

• More from NE Scotland, Orkney & Shetland - BBC News

First aid was administered, but he had no pulse and was very cold.

Resuscitation efforts continued until paramedic assistance arrived by helicopter, but Mr Anderson was pronounced dead.

The cause of death was given as head and chest injuries as a result of his fall.

Unity was the platform where the fall happened

Sheriff Graham Buchanan told the jury in his closing address on Friday that the defence argued the existence of a hard barrier around the open grating, in the form of scaffolding, ensured there was no risk as far as was reasonably practicable.

'Deepest condolences'

However Sheriff Buchanan said the Crown position was the open grating did pose a risk, demonstrated by the fact Mr Anderson fell through it to his death, and that other safety measures could have been adopted.

BP Exploration was found guilty, by a majority, of failing to have in place suitable and sufficient control measures in respect of open gratings on the lower deck, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Sheriff Buchanan adjourned the case for sentencing.

BP said in a statement after the case: "We acknowledge the outcome of the court proceedings.

"This was a tragic incident. While we know nothing can be said to change the pain felt by Sean Anderson's family and friends, our deepest condolences remain firmly with them to this day."

Cape had said at the time: "Sean was a popular, hard-working and experienced employee. His co-workers are obviously shaken and saddened."