Ensco Offshore UK Limited has been fined after safety failures led to the death of offshore worker Jason Thomas on the Valaris 121 in the North Sea.
Thomas, 50, from South Wales, was reported missing on 22 January 2023 while the rig was about 100 miles southeast of Aberdeen and under tow toward Dundee. He fell through an unsecured deck grating positioned outside a door leading onto the deck. His body was not recovered despite a search involving HM Coastguard, two supply vessels, a helicopter and an aircraft.
The Health and Safety Executive found the grating had not been fixed in line with OEM requirements. Inspections also failed to confirm whether Hilti clips, used to secure grating panels to their support structure, had been properly fitted. HSE concluded that wave action during the afternoon generated enough upward force to dislodge the panel.
Thomas had about 16 years of offshore experience and worked for Ensco Services Limited, a wholly owned company of Ensco Offshore UK Limited. He had advanced from roustabout to deck foreman and crane operator.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 18 May 2026, Ensco Offshore UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £267,000, with a £20,025 victim surcharge, making the total £287,025.
Following the incident, the company replaced polymer grating across its fleet with galvanised steel grating.
HSE principal inspector Steven Hanson Hall said the incident could likely have been prevented if the company had identified and controlled the risks, particularly during the rig move.
