Fatal turbine elevator entrapment at Markbygden wind complex, Sweden

What happened

A worker died after becoming trapped between an elevator and the shaft inside a GE Vernova wind turbine at the Markbygden wind complex in Sweden. The incident occurred the previous year relative to the report. Following an investigation, authorities decided not to bring charges over the death. Limited additional detail on the exact sequence of events, the worker's task at the time, or the date of the incident has been made public. The turbine involved was manufactured by GE Vernova. No further information on the turbine's operational status at the time, such as whether it was undergoing maintenance or was in normal service, has been disclosed in reporting.

Contributing factors

The source states only that the worker became trapped between the elevator and the shaft inside the turbine; no further contributing factors were reported.

Lessons learned

1. Wind turbine elevators must have interlocks that prevent movement when a person is in the shaft gap.
2. Operators should inspect elevator shaft guarding on all turbines after any entrapment report.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Exact sequence of events
• Date of the incident
• Worker task at the time
• Turbine operational status

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

Recharge (rechargenews.com)