14 Nov 2016 Mr Benjamin Hugh Wylie · Prevention of Future Deaths report Berkshire
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Concerns raised 9 Unavailability of a quick-reference condensed operator manual View source Inadequate training in correct track-greasing procedures View source Lack of permanent warning signage beside the grease nipple View source Failure to issue existing users a warning bulletin about grease nipple failure risks View source Failure of the manual to prohibit repairs or modifications to failed parts View source Existing machines requiring removal of the metal plate for track greasing View source Lack of pressure release valves within the grease nipple unit View source Grease nipple orientation facing the greasing operator View source Failure of the manual to require replacement of failed parts with new units View source See 6 more concerns
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AI-generated summary
Mr Benjamin Hugh Wylie · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Mr Benjamin Hugh Wylie, a 24-year-old man, died after a grease nipple detached while he was tensioning the tracks of a piling rig on a building site, expelling high-pressure grease that caused fatal injuries. Concerns included the machine’s design and pressure-release features, inadequate warnings and guidance, repair and maintenance practices, and possible deficiencies in worker training.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unavailability of a quick-reference condensed operator manual
Wider context from the report “(6) It was heard that the manual for the SR70 piling rig machine is always kept in the cab of the machine for use by the operator. This was described as a 350 page manual. No quick reference condensed version of key matters is available.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate training in correct track-greasing procedures
Wider context from the report “(8) The evidence suggested that certain piling rig workers were not following the correct procedures for greasing the tracks suggesting that there was a training issue that needed to be addressed and possibly incorporated into the manual.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of permanent warning signage beside the grease nipple
Wider context from the report “(1) In the course of the evidence at the Inquest it was acknowledged that the risk of grease being expelled from the grease nipple at high pressure was recognised. No permanent warning plate or sign was attached to the machine beside the grease nipple.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to issue existing users a warning bulletin about grease nipple failure risks
Wider context from the report “(5) It is understood that no warning bulletin has been issued to existing users of the relevant piling rig machines warning of the risk of the grease nipple failure and potential consequences.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure of the manual to prohibit repairs or modifications to failed parts
Wider context from the report “(7) The manual does not contain a warning to always replace failed parts on piling rigs with new units. There is no statement that repairs or modifications to failed parts should not be carried out.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Existing machines requiring removal of the metal plate for track greasing
Wider context from the report “(4) The Jury heard that, in the ordinary course of use of the machine, were covered by a metal plate. However, this had to be removed in order to carry out the greasing of the tracks . Evidence was given that new machines allow greasing of the tracks with the plate in place but there are a number of existing machines in use which do not have that adaptation.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of pressure release valves within the grease nipple unit
Wider context from the report “(3) The evidence also given was that other piling rig manufacturers install pressure release values within the grease nipple unit that prevents pressure building up to the force that struck Ben Wylie.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Grease nipple orientation facing the greasing operator
Wider context from the report “(2) The grease nipple(s) of which there is one on each side of the machine was orientated on the SR70 machine so that it was perpendicular to, rather than parallel to, the tracks. This meant that the nipple faced out towards the greasing operator. Evidence suggested that other manufacturers have the grease nipple orientated parallel to the tracks.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Soilmec Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure of the manual to require replacement of failed parts with new units
Wider context from the report “(7) The manual does not contain a warning to always replace failed parts on piling rigs with new units. There is no statement that repairs or modifications to failed parts should not be carried out.
” Open source report
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations