The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has successfully prosecuted two major companies, after a representative of one of the companies – Siemens plc – was killed in a wind turbine.
On 16 September 2009, wind turbine technician Colin Sinclair, 27, was killed when he came into contact with the unguarded rotating shaft of a gearbox within a turbine at Causeymire wind farm in Scotland.
On the day of the incident, Colin Sinclair and another Siemens employee had escorted staff from RWE Innogy UK Limited to the top of wind turbine18, where the rotor blades are mounted.
At the top of the tower, an RWE engineer began the process of pitching the rotor blades into the off position before locking them off, to enable the Siemens technicians to carry out an inspection.
It was during this process that Colin Sinclair’s harness became entangled in the high-speed shaft coupling, causing him to be pulled in towards the shaft.
The emergency stop cord was pulled and the emergency services were called, but Mr Sinclair was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident found that the gearbox had been inadequately guarded since January 2009, exposing the rotating shafts.
On Thursday, 10 December 2015 at Tain Sheriff Court, Siemens Public Limited Company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £107,000.
RWE Innogy UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £45,000.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Niall Miller said:
“This death was easily preventable and involved a risk which is well known and appreciated throughout all industries.
“It is disappointing that this risk wasn’t addressed, despite the lack of guarding being known to those involved.
“This incident should serve as a reminder to employers of all sizes that failing to take simple precautions can have catastrophic consequences.”
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