A self-employed Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technician has been fined after a train from a fairground ride he carried out NDT testing on subsequently derailed from the track and crashed to the ground.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that in April 2016 William Testo, an NDT technician tested the assembled Tsunami rollercoaster at M & D (Leisure) Limited, Strathclyde Country Park. He then issued an NDT Report dated 25 April 2016. On 26 June 2016 a train on the rollercoaster, with nine passengers, derailed and crashed to the ground causing a number of serious injuries to those on board.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Testo did not possess the appropriate level of qualification in ultrasonic testing (a method of NDT testing) to allow him to competently check for fatigue cracking on the ride. Further the NDT report he issued failed to properly record parts tested and results obtained.
William Testo of Downiebrae Road, Rutherglen pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £1,000.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Martin McMahon said “NDT Testing forms a vital part in ensuring fairground rides are safe for the public to enjoy. Failing to carry out this work properly can have the most serious of consequences. Many of those members of the public involved continue to be impacted by the events of that day.
“NDT technicians must ensure they carry out their work diligently and competently at all times”.
Mr Testo is the third party to be prosecuted in relation to this incident. Earlier this year M & D (Leisure) Limited was fined £65,000 for breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and Craig Boswell, a ride inspector, was sentenced to 160 hours community payback order for breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Notes to Editors:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
- More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
- HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
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