Investigation and inquest
On 28 May 2015, I commenced an investigation into the death of Mark Richard Seward, aged 49 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the jury inquest on 31 March 2016. The conclusion of the jury was that Mr Seward died from a head injury and that his death was the result of an accident.
Circumstances of the death
Mr Seward was an experienced fitter, mechanic and engineer who had started work at AGD Equipment Limited (AGD) in Stratford-upon-Avon on 10 May 2015. On 27 May 2015, in the course of his employment, he was using a portable Enerpac pump to test a cylinder for an oil leak. At 11.19, the valve block on the cylinder fractured due to excessive pressure. The resulting explosion caused an ejection of metal and other debris at high speed. Mr Seward was crouching at close proximity to the cylinder. He was not wearing protective headware and was not shielded by a protective screen. He was struck by debris, resulting in a serious head injury. He was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital, Coventry, where he died at 14.35 the same day.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) There was a lack of clarity as to what type of activity amounted to pressure testing.
(2) The degree of compliance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and guidance issued by the HSE such as GS4 was called into question, not only at AGD but more widely within the industry. Witnesses gave evidence that the poor practices followed at AGD were replicated elsewhere.