Scottish Oil worker's death is not work-related

THE employer of a Scottish oil worker who died in the West African country of Ghana after falling ill has said the death was not work-related or connected in any way to his living conditions.

Aberdeen-based company Global Resources said it would not be releasing the results of a post mortem in accordance with the wishes of the employee's family.

Keith MacKintosh (31) had been working as a plater and pipe-fitter on an oil installation project at the port in Tema, in south-east Ghana, when he became unwell.

Company chief executive Paul Wisely said yesterday that a genetic condition had been identified as a contributory factor to his death.

Around 30 people are employed by the company on the rig modifications contract in Ghana and, over the weekend, 15 asked to return home to the UK amid rumours of ill health and poor conditions, although the company says the workers have returned home on compassionate grounds.

Mr Wisely insisted the health and safety of employees was of paramount importance. "None initially requested to come home due to concerns about illness among Global employees," he said.

"We take any reported illness among our employees very seriously. There have been a number of employees who have reported minor ailments but there is no common thread to them.

"These have ranged from sunburn and stomach ailments to mild malarial symptoms.

"Medical facilities and medical support are provided and no Global employees were transported home from Ghana due to illness."

The company would not comment on press reports that Mr MacKintosh had been taken off the rig and laid in a minibus in soaring temperatures after he collapsed last Tuesday.

The wife of one of Mr MacKintosh's colleagues contacted Jake Molloy of the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee (OILC), a trade union which represents offshore oil workers.

"A woman phoned to say her husband was one of the team and they were concerned about the conditions and wanted home but that the company was not offering them any help," Mr Mulloy said.

He added no members of the Global team in Ghanna were part of the union and he had received no further information from the woman, who refused to leave her name.

A member of Global Resources' management team is in Ghana to help with repatriation of the body and to offer health and support to workers still on location.

"Global Resources has informed the British High Commission in Ghana and is co-operating with the Ghanaian authorities," Mr Wisely added. "We are working to ensure repatriation of our employee's body takes place as soon as possible."

Mr MacKintosh's family, who live in Crawford Avenue, Rosemarkie, refused to comment yesterday.