Oil and gas giant fined over violent propane release
Thursday 11th June 2026
A ship engineer suffered serious cold burns as a result of unplanned liquid propane release at a marine terminal. The release was triggered when a technician accidently pressed a button on a remote-control handset.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that the company’s operating procedure contradicted guidance from the loading arm manufacturer and those prepared by a third-party installer.
It was found that the oil and gas company’s system of work was unsafe and left a dangerous window in which an accidental button press could, and did, cause a sudden propane release, and that their management of change process was wholly inadequate. The company failed to conduct a full risk assessment of the new loading operation and no consideration was given to basic protective measures.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015, Regulation 5(1) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 33(1)(c) and was fine £450,000.