A VALVE technician killed in the Piper Alpha disaster was yesterday
blamed for faulty workmanship which might have led to a gas leak and the
first explosion on the oil platform.
Occidental QC Mr John Mitchell said the disaster inquiry in Aberdeen
should be driven to the conclusion that employees from Score UK Ltd had
not properly fitted a pipe seal to a pressure safety-valve.
Two technicians from the Peterhead company were on the platform for
overhaul work -- Mr Alex Rankin, who has given evidence, and Mr Terry
Sutton, one of the 167 victims.
Mr Mitchell submitted that Mr Sutton had acted alone in the fitting of
the seals to the pipework where the first explosion is believed to have
occurred.
He said, however: ''There is no direct evidence concerning the fitting
of blind flanges by Terence Sutton. He was left to complete the task
himself. The conclusion that I seek is an inference to be drawn from the
other evidence concerning the condensate (oil-gas).
''In my submissions the inquiry should be driven to the conclusion
that the employees from Score did not properly fit a blind flange.''
This was rejected by QC Mr Michael Jones, appearing for the
Aberdeenshire valve firm, who said the truth might never be ascertained
and it was dangerous to speculate on one finding or another.
''The family of Terry Sutton should not be burdened for ever with the
taunt that he caused the Piper Alpha disaster -- and that as a result of
a finding based on speculation.''
Mr Jones said the inquiry's finding should be that there was no act or
omission on the part of Score or its employees which was ''causally
connected'' with the disaster.
''In particular Terence Sutton and Alexander Rankin stand to be
exonerated from blame,'' he maintained.
Earlier Mr Mitchell had also defended Occidental, which had been
attacked earlier in the week by the trades union group QC, Mr Hugh
Campbell, for its management attitude and safety policy.
Mr Mitchell said the allegations of management insensitivity and
incompetence were unwarranted and that it was ludicrous to say they
downgraded the disaster by referring to it as an incident.
Of the personal attack on Occidental's UK chairman, Mr John Brading,
he said it was totally unfounded and added he would not expect Mr
Campbell ''to have the courage to put it to Mr Brading inside or outside
the inquiry.''
The inquiry, which has already cost an estimated #4m, continues today
with part two, which seeks to establish lessons to be learned from the
disaster.
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