EXCLUSIVE: Trade union calls for Scottish renewable wind-ustry safety
summit after wind farm worker freezes to death in blizzard at Farrans site
A trade union leader last night called for an urgent safety summit with the
Scottish renewable wind-ustry after the tragic death of a wind farm worker
in Ayrshire.
The 74-year old man froze to death in the weekend snow blizzard at the
Afton wind farm site near Craigdarroch Farm.
The 50-MW Afton wind farm – with 25 turbines – is being built by Farrans,
the construction contractor.
But it was behind schedule to complete the project; in a publicity
statement issued in September 2016, Farrans said that ‘full power
generation was anticipated by the end of 2017.’
Farrans has made no comment on the tragedy.
But – speaking exclusively to Scottish Energy News last night – Steve
Dillon, regional co-ordinator for for the construction industry at Unite in
Scotland – called for a Scottish renewable wind-ustry safety summit.
He said: “I was extremely sorry to learn about the death of this worker in
such tragic circumstances.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that a death has occurred because of a lack of
suitable clothing, training and – in this case – communications.
“From a safety point of this, this is extremely frustrating because this is
the third death of a wind farm work in as many years in Scotland.
“The weather was atrocious that night in East Ayrshire – but it’s not the
South Pole and we should be able to ensure effective communications for
wind farm workers even in remote areas of Scotland
“Employers have duty of care to their workers – and this includes proper
communications, which seem to have been all too sadly lacking in this
tragic case.
“Wind farm developers and their construction contractors need to engage
with workers on health and safety issues – including provision of proper
equipment.
“We fear there will be more deaths in the Scottish renewables industry of
wind farm workers because there will be more wind farm developments.
“There are 50 deaths a year in the construction industry in the UK – one a
week – it’s the deadliest industry in the UK and we urgently need a safety
summit with the wind-ustry in Scotland.”
Scottish Renewables – the trade association for the wind-ustry in Scotland
– did not respond to the Scottish Energy News request for a comment.
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