- Noel Edmonds, 42, was crushed between a moving lift and a shaft in June 2014
- A health and safety investigation found the MoD failed to ensure a safe system
- The ministry was dealt a Crown Censure which is the maximum it can receive
The Ministry of Defence has been issued with a ‘Crown Censure’ after a Royal Navy engineering technician was killed during lift maintenance work.
Leading Engineering Technician Neal Edmonds, 42, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, was crushed between a moving lift and the lift shaft in June 2014 while carrying out maintenance work on board HMS Bulwark in Devonport, Devon.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the MoD failed to ensure there was a safe system of work to control the risks associated with lift maintenance.
The MoD cannot face prosecution in the same way as private or commercial organisations and a Crown Censure is the maximum sanction a government body can receive.
Leading Engineering Technician Neal Edmonds, 42, pictured with his girlfriend Emma West, crushed between a moving lift and the lift shaft in June 2014 on board HMS Bulwark
HSE’s deputy director of field operations, Jane Lassey, said: ‘The risks arising from maintenance operations are well known and suitable measures required to reduce these risks are understood.
‘Like any employer, the MoD has a responsibility to reduce dangers to its personnel, as far as they properly can, and in this case they failed Neal Edmonds.’
By accepting the Crown Censure, the MoD admitted breaching its duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
After his death Emma West had his cremated remains mixed with ink and tattooed into her right leg
After his death Emma West, his girlfriend of 11 years, had his cremated remains mixed with ink and tattooed into her right leg in the shape of an anchor, alongside the words ‘together forever’.
The former Navy medic said at the time: ‘We were always going to be together forever but now he really is always with me. I don’t care if anyone thinks it’s morbid.
‘We met in the Navy – it was the Navy that brought us together and tore us apart – so having the anchor with those words seem appropriate. I love it.
‘I’m so glad I did what I did and I know Neal would love it. It’s really pretty and represents everything that we loved.’
What is HMS Bulwark?
The amphibious assault ship was launched in Cumbria in 2001 but did not enter service until 2004
- HMS Bulwark is one of the Navy’s two Albion-class amphibious transport docks, alongside HMS Albion.
- The amphibious assault ship was launched in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in 2001 but did not enter service until 2004.
- She is 176m long, with a complement of 325 and a maximum speed of 20 knots. Her displacement is 19,560 tons full load.
- Bulwark is capable of carrying 305 troops, with an overload of 405 for short periods.
- She has two helicopter landing spots, capable of receiving an aircraft the size of a Chinook, as well as a vehicle deck for 30 armoured all-terrain vehicles.
- There is also an Operations Room and a floodable well dock with the ability to take four utility landing craft.
- Her weaponry consists of two 20mm guns, four machine guns and two Goalkeeper Close-in Weapon Systems for defence against missiles and aircraft.
- She was the Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy from October 2011 until May 2015, when her sister ship Albion took over the position.
Sources: Armedforces.co.uk; Ministry of Defence