The first discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry into the Covid-19 death of an offshore worker has begun at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The case examines the death of Donald Singer, 66, who died in May 2020 after falling ill on an oil platform.
Singer worked as a crane operator on the Ninian Southern Platform off Shetland. He was airlifted from the platform on April 3, 2020 and died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on May 4.
The inquiry will examine Covid safety measures at the airport Singer used before traveling offshore and the medical treatment he received on the platform. Catriona Dow, presenting for the Crown, told the court: «There was a medic provided on the platform, it may be there are concerns about the medical treatment.»
Policy Context
The case highlights a significant policy shift during the pandemic. Dow explained: «At the start of the pandemic the then lord advocate instructed that any suspected Covid death did not need to be reported to the procurator fiscal.»
The policy was later revised to require reporting for two specific categories: people who might have contracted Covid in employment, and care home residents. «More than 6,000 individual deaths have been reported» under these categories, Dow said.
Singer's family attended the virtual preliminary hearing, including his son Richard, brother Gordon, and nephew James Clark. CNR International, Singer's employer, has indicated it will not participate in the inquiry.
Sheriff McCrossan is presiding over the case. The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 25. The Health and Safety Executive had legal representation at Friday's hearing.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
