Call for action after windfarm deaths


The Unite general union has called on the HSE to bring together all concerned to learn lessons and improve safety and welfare on windfarms after two workers died within a fortnight of each other. 


Portuguese worker Antonio Linares was killed in a fall at Scottish Power’s Kilgallioch Windfarm in South Ayrshire on 15 March while working for contractor Gamesa. Two weeks later, a Spanish worker was killed in a fall from a turbine at the energy company’s Whitelee Windfarm, East Renfrewshire.


“In recent years there have been far too many deaths and injuries involving windfarms,” said Unite regional co-ordinating officer Steve Dillon. “These installations are usually in remote locations and there is concern that these tragedies have not received the same focus as if they had occurred in more populous areas.”


He called for swift action to improve workers’ safety and wellbeing and to understand how these incidents occurred.


www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-calls-for-urgent-action-into-windfarm-safety-after-two-deaths-in-scotland-in-a-fortnight