Michael Jurman: Gas rig workers sue Woodside, Vertech over trauma from colleague’s horror offshore death
Two contractors who witnessed the horrifying death of their colleague on a Woodside gas platform off the Pilbara coast have launched civil action against their employer and the energy giant.
Two contractors who witnessed the horrifying death of their colleague on a Woodside gas platform off the Pilbara coast have launched civil action against their employer and the energy giant.
The men were left traumatised when they saw rope access technician Michael Jurman being fatally struck on the North Rankin A platform, 135km north-west of Dampier, on the morning of June 2, 2023.
According to particulars of the incident lodged by the men’s lawyers in the WA District Court last month, the Vertech Group workers were inspecting a caisson beneath the platform topside using a scanner weighing around 80kg.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The particulars state that Woodside approved a permit to lift the scanner by rigging a hoist comprised of a rope access line connected by a carabiner to an eagle clamp, which is a type of multi-directional screw clamp.
The clamp had been screwed onto a thick metal plate on the caisson but detached and swung into Mr Jurman’s head, inflicting horrendous injuries.
The plaintiffs, who did not want to be identified when approached by The West Australian via their lawyers, allege breaches of duty on six grounds and are seeking damages for trauma.
They argue the defendants should have known that it was unsafe and/or against manufacturer instructions to use such a clamp on steel products with a coating greater than 0.2mm or on surfaces coated with oil, paint, rust or scale.
Another argument is that rope access work should have been discontinued while the scanner was suspended in the air, ensuring Mr Jurman was not working in close proximity to the heavy item.
Woodside banned the use of eagle clamps in rigging or lifting activities two days after the tragedy.
Lawyers for the men, who have been on leave ever since, hope a mediated outcome can be reached without the need for trial.
Woodside and Vertech were contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority is still investigating the incident more than three years later and has provided a brief of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
The CDPP said could not comment on specific referrals, but generally, any action would only be made public when a matter was listed in open court.
