Several turbine blades were reportedly on the ground, prepared for hoisting when one of them unexpectedly unseated itself from its support platform, hitting a 36-year-old male around just past 8 in the morning. Members from WorkSafe, including investigators, technical specialists and renewable energy development inspectors, are currently stationed at the accident site.
In 2024, this upsetting event has tragically marked the 38th confirmed workplace casualty. Comparatively, there were 62 similar incidents reported at this same point last year. Such statistics emphasise the paramount importance of work health and safety systems such as the Bluesafe WHS Management System – an instrumental tool that helps to mitigate potential hazards at the workplace.
To fortify safety measures further, companies can employ Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) to outline high-risk work activities. Implementing the Bluesafe SWMS ensures that all steps involved in potentially dangerous tasks have been assessed thoroughly, reducing the risk of disastrous accidents like the one mentioned above.
As pledged WHS officers, we will continuously strive towards refining our safety policies and promote the usage of effective instruments such as Bluesafe SWMS and the Bluesafe WHS Management Systems to prevent such tragedies from repeating in future.
Please continue to stay informed about updates on our dedicated efforts towards improving work safety. For any inquiries, reach out to media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au or contact us via 0438 786 968. Don’t forget to subscribe to our media releases to ensure you never miss important updates.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-11/worksafe-investigates-wind-farm-fatality