- An employee fell 4.4 meters during formwork activities on April 24, 2025.
- The incident involved Equinor, main contractor Aibel, and subcontractor Consto.
- The accident was due to multiple factors, including poor communication and risk management.
- Efforts are underway to improve safety culture and supplier monitoring at onshore facilities.
Incident Overview
On April 24, 2025, an employee fell 4.4 meters during formwork activities at the Hammerfest LNG site on Melkøya. The incident involved Equinor, main contractor Aibel, and subcontractor Consto.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the accident was not due to a single cause but resulted from multiple factors, including inadequate communication and risk management. It highlighted deficiencies in competence management and execution of work, with some subcontractor employees feeling unable to stop unsafe work despite Equinor's expectations.
Communication Gaps
A decision to halt work at height was made hours before the accident, but the message did not reach the workers involved. The subcontractor's focus on progress during planning and risk assessment contributed to insufficient understanding and management of risks associated with formwork activities at height.
Improvement Measures
Equinor is implementing measures to enhance safety culture and supplier collaboration at onshore facilities. This includes strengthening safety culture, conducting a third-party investigation of transparency culture, and improving work processes and permit systems. Aibel and Consto are also verifying competence and clarifying requirements for technical teams.
