Worker killed by falling turbine blade at Golden Plains wind farm in Australia

A 36-year-old worker was killed on 11 November 2024 at the Golden Plains Wind Farm near Rokewood, Victoria. According to published reporting, a wind turbine blade came loose from scaffolding during assembly and crushed him. The worker was engaged as a subcontractor for Professional Wind Services on the project, which is being constructed by Vestas Wind Systems. The project is reported to be valued at over 3 billion Australian dollars and is intended to become Australia's largest wind farm, with more than 215 turbines and a capacity of 1,330 MW. Union representatives said safety complaints had been raised with site management and with the state safety regulator, WorkSafe Victoria, before the fatality. WorkSafe was reported to have conducted 117 site visits to the project since March 2023 and issued 22 compliance notices to a number of duty holders. WorkSafe launched an investigation into the death, with a police inquiry also expected. The cause has not been established by any published official finding.

Not established. Union representatives are reported to have raised longstanding safety concerns with site management and with WorkSafe Victoria before the fatality. Earlier reported events at the project include a turbine blade striking a crane boom in October 2024, after which the subcontractor responsible was removed from crane lifting pending investigation, and blade serrated edges detaching during a storm in September 2024 and landing on nearby properties.

1. Lifting and temporary support arrangements for blades during turbine assembly should be subject to engineering review, documented inspection and a clear exclusion zone for personnel.
2. Repeated safety reports and compliance notices at a construction site are leading indicators and should trigger a site-wide review rather than isolated corrective actions.
3. Earlier near misses such as a blade striking a crane boom or components detaching in high wind should be investigated across all contractors on site, not only the party directly involved.

wsws.org/en/articles/2024/12/18/kqwd-d18.html