Worker dies after becoming stranded at Afton wind farm

What happened

On 21 January 2018, two men were reported stranded at the Afton wind farm in east Ayrshire. Police Scotland’s Mountain Rescue Team was called at about 8.50pm. A 74-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in Edinburgh and later died. The site was still under construction. Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive opened a joint investigation, and the site owner said it was cooperating and had started its own investigation.

Contributing factors

Heavy snow had caused problems across Scotland, and the Met Office had issued a weather warning. Reporting said the man had become stranded without heat or power. Later reporting said firms admitted breaking health and safety laws. The cause was still under investigation at the time of the first report.

Lessons learned

1. Remote sites need workable emergency communications and rescue arrangements in severe weather.
2. People on site, including subcontractors, need a plan for shelter, heat and power if they become stranded.
3. Weather-related access and evacuation arrangements should be reviewed with all site users.

More lessons on weather and external hazards, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Source

Windpower Monthly (windpowermonthly.com)