Worker crushed and killed by wind turbine blade

Background

WorkSafe Victoria are investigating an incident involving the death of a worker at a wind farm in Rokewood. The employee was preparing a 79-metre-long wind turbine blade to be placed into position by a crane. The blade was stored horizontally in a bracket at ground level. The bracket was made up of two parts – an upper clamp and a lower clamp. The two parts were linked together by two bolts and two pins. As the upper clamp was removed by a crane, one pin remained in place. The bracket and blade toppled over.

Safety issues

Construction sites are inherently hazardous workplaces. Many significant risks can be present. This includes the risk of being crushed or struck by loads. This risk is increased when cranes and related equipment are involved. Risks can arise when loads are being:

• prepared to be lifted
• lifted
• lowered, and
• suspended.

Recommended ways to control risks

Employers must eliminate any risks to health and safety at work. They must do this so far as is reasonably practicable. If employers cannot eliminate the risks, they must reduce them so far as is reasonably practicable.

The risk of employees being crushed or struck by loads can be eliminated or reduced by providing and maintaining safe systems of work.

The system of work may include:

• a sequential process to lifting components and loads
• safe dogging or rigging practices
• lift plans
• delineated and maintained exclusion zones
• clear communication between the crane operator and work crew
• potential hold points
• adequate information, instruction, training or supervision
• lifting equipment that is safe-for-use.

The movement of powered mobile plant is high risk construction work. Where high risk construction work is performed employers must ensure:

• a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) has been prepared, and
• employees hold appropriate high risk work licences.

Dogging and rigging is high risk work. Where dogging and rigging is performed employers must ensure employees hold the appropriate high risk work licence.

Legal duties

Employers have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. They include duties to do the following:

• Provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
• Provide or maintain plant and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health.
• Consult with employees, including any health and safety representatives.

Employers must fulfil these duties so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers must also provide employees with information, instruction, training or supervision. Employers must meet a standard when fulfilling this duty. They must provide what is necessary for employees to work safely.

Employers also have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017. These duties include:

• Not allowing an employee to perform high risk work unless the employee holds an appropriate high risk work licence.
• Not performing high risk construction work unless a SWMS is prepared for the work before the work commences.
• Not performing high risk construction work in a way that is not in accordance with the SWMS.