Engineering news
Siemens and RWE Innogy UK have been fined a total of £152,000 after a wind turbine technician was killed in 2009 during an inspection at a wind farm.
The 27-year-old technician Colin Sinclair was part of a group that included one other representative from Siemens and two engineers from RWE inspecting a turbine at Causeymire windfarm in Scotland. Sinclair, who was senior technician for the inspection came into contact with the unguarded rotating shaft of a gearbox within the turbine and died at the scene.
Sinclair's death, which took place on 16 September 2009, occurred after he had escorted RWE staff up to turbine 18, to the area at the top of the wind turbine where the rotor blades are mounted.
Once at the top of the tower, an RWE engineer began the process to pitch the rotor blades into the off position before locking them off to enable the Siemens technicians to carry out the inspection. It was during this process that 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 called. Colin Sinclair was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the gearbox had been inadequately guarded since January 2009, exposing the rotating shafts.
Both companies pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations. Siemens was fined £107,000, while RWE Innogy UK was fined £45,000.
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.”
Speaking to PE, a RWE spokesperson said: “RWE Innogy UK deeply regrets the fatal accident involving Colin Sinclair at Causeymire Wind Farm on the 16 September 2009. We continue to offer our sincere condolences to Colin’s family.
“As a company Health and Safety is and remains our most important priority and we are committed to attaining and maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.
“Following the lengthy and detailed investigation by the authorities in which we collaborated fully, we accept the findings.”