The 36-year-old installation technician died when he was crushed by the wind turbine at a major project in Australia’s Victoria state – an investigation is underway
A man has died in a horror accident after being crushed by a wind turbine blade.
The 36-year-old installation technician had been working at a construction site in Rokewood, in Australia’s Victoria state. Emergency services raced to the site at about 8am local time today.
First responders tried to revive the technician but he was later declared dead at the scene. Photos taken at the site of the accident show two turbine blades resting on metal scaffold.
Another blade is lying on the ground next to pieces of scaffolding that were tipped on their side. Workers were also seen gathered in a nearby paddock.
Australian network ABC reported the area where the accident happened is part of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Project, where work is underway to build an energy facility that includes wind turbines. On its website, the site is described as being the future location of the country’s largest wind farm.
The subcontractor died during an accident where a turbine blade was being kept on the ground ahead of installation according to Vestas, the company the is taking part in the first stage of the project. A company spokesperson told The Mirror it would investigate the death.
“Vestas can confirm a subcontractor passed away on 11 November following an incident at TagEnergy’s Golden Plains Wind Farm – Stage 1. Vestas share their deepest condolences with the individual’s family, and we will do everything we can to support them during this difficult time,” the spokesperson told The Mirror.
“Safety is Vestas’ number one priority, and Vestas and the project partners are working closely with local authorities, including the Victorian Police and WorkSafe Victoria, to investigate the incident and determine the underlying cause. The site has been paused due to the incident, and as with any incident and out of respect to the deceased we ask everyone to avoid speculation and await the findings from the investigation.”
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) was “extremely frustrated and angry” following the technician’s death, ABC reported. Ronnie Hayden, the state secretary of AWU Victoria said: “This devastating loss could have been prevented.”
“Just two weeks ago, union delegates from three different unions met with Vestas management to raise serious safety concerns, telling them it was only dumb luck that nobody had been killed on site yet.”
He said the accident happened amid an increase in safety concerns at the project, such as increasing pressure on workers due to significant delays and the decision to engage non-unionised contractors for some of the most-dangerous work at the project.
Vestas told ABC it has met with unions every week and that safety was it’s top priority. Minister for WorkSafe Danny Pearson said investigators were at the site of the accident.
He told the network: “This is a heart breaking tragedy and our thoughts are with the family of the worker as well as their workmates.”
