Second accident revealed at Sizewell nuclear power site

Another injury accident has occurred on the Sizewell nuclear site – the second in four months affecting operating companies which pride themselves on maintaining an exemplary safety culture.

A contractor working on an asbestos removal project at the Sizewell A power station, operated by Magnox Limited, fell from scaffolding at the end of July, sustaining serious injuries.

EDF Energy, which runs Sizewell B, has now revealed a member of its contracting staff fell from a scaffold ladder on November 10, fracturing a collar bone.

“Safety is our number one priority so this is disappointing to report,” said Martin Cubitt, plant manager.

An investigation was under way to better understand the cause of the fall, the first “lost time” accident to have occurred at the site for more than two and a half years, he said.

“However, the initial findings have confirmed that the ladder and the scaffold were both compliant, were within their inspection dates and that the ladder was suitably lashed to the scaffold with adequate safety gates,” Mr Cubitt said.

Meanwhile, Sizewell A site director, Tim Watkins, said lessons of the July 29 accident had been learned. Investigations into the accident were hampered because there were no witnesses.

Mr Watkins said the injured man, who had sustained head injuries and broken ribs, was now undergoing a period of rehabilitation and home visits and his long-term prospects for recovery were good.

The Magnox inquiry into the accident had concluded and a series of site-wide briefings had been held on the lessons to be learned.