Stranded worker dies at Afton wind farm, East Ayrshire, during heavy snow

Two men, aged 74 and 42, became stranded at the Afton wind farm in East Ayrshire, Scotland, on the evening of 21 January 2018 during heavy snowfall. Police Scotland's Mountain Rescue Team was called at about 8.50pm to help the two men, who were reported to be without heat or power. The older man was airlifted about 93km to a hospital in Edinburgh, where he later died. The site was still under construction at the time and was reported to be using 25 Siemens Gamesa 2MW turbines. Afton Wind Farm Ltd, the site owner, said it could not confirm the identity of the man but stated that he worked for a subcontractor at the site, and that it had begun its own independent investigation. Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive opened a joint investigation, with a report to be sent to the Procurator Fiscal, the Scottish body responsible for investigating sudden or suspicious deaths. A law firm blog cited by the trade press described the man as a security guard at the wind farm, which the site owner did not confirm. The condition of the second man was not reported.

Heavy snow affected much of Scotland that day and the Met Office had issued a weather warning. The men were reported to have become stranded at the site without heat or power. No cause had been established at the time of reporting, with investigations ongoing.

1. Remote construction sites need severe weather contingency plans covering shelter, heating, communications and a means of raising the alarm.
2. Arrangements should exist for tracking the location and welfare of everyone on site, including lone workers and security staff, during adverse weather.
3. Subcontracted and security personnel should be covered by the same emergency response planning as direct employees.

News report via Google News