Maintenance worker killed after being trapped in turbine blade mechanism in Italy

A 25-year-old maintenance worker died after reportedly being pulled into the motor mechanism of a turbine blade while carrying out maintenance work at the 'Aria del Vento' wind farm in Mongrassano, in the province of Cosenza, Italy. The incident is reported to have occurred while the worker was positioned at a height of approximately 60 to 70 metres. Fire and rescue services attended the site and used specialised equipment in an attempt to free the worker, but he could not be saved. Local Carabinieri opened an investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident, including whether appropriate personal protective equipment was being used at the time. This account is based on a single published report and some details, including the wind farm operator and turbine specifications, have not yet been reported.

The cause is still under investigation. Authorities are examining whether the worker was using appropriate protective equipment for work at height and for the maintenance task being performed. No official findings have yet been published.

1. Maintenance procedures for turbine nacelle and blade mechanisms should include verified lockout and isolation of moving parts before personnel work in proximity to them.
2. Workers undertaking high-risk turbine maintenance at height require thorough, verifiable training and correctly fitted protective equipment.
3. Investigations following such incidents should be used to review whether machine guarding and safe systems of work adequately prevent entrapment during maintenance activities.

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