The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has notified Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited (DRDL) and Kaefer Limited that they will be prosecuted under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
DRDL will also be prosecuted under Section 3(1) of the same legislation.
The charge relates to an incident which occurred on the DRDL nuclear licensed site in Plymouth onboard HMS Bulwark, where a scaffolder employed by Kaefer Limited fell and sustained serious injuries during maintenance work on the ship.
The incident, on 11 April 2023, was a conventional health and safety matter and there was no radiological risk to the public.
HMS Bulwark is a surface ship, with no nuclear components, but the incident occurred within the boundary of the nuclear licensed site and was therefore investigated by ONR, the UK’s independent nuclear regulator.
The first hearing is scheduled to take place at Plymouth Magistrates Court on 27 March, at 2pm.