The global offshore wind industry saw a sharp rise in work-related injuries in 2024, according to the latest data from the G+ Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation.
The sector logged a record 79 million work hours – a 27% increase over 2023 – but this expansion was accompanied by a 7% rise in the Total Recordable Injury Rate to 2.93 and a 19% increase in the Lost Time Injury Frequency to 1.27.
Tragically, the year also recorded one fatality, after a worker was fatally injured during disassembly of a monopile up-ending tool. A second worker was hospitalised in the same incident.
“Growth brings new and evolving risks,” said Lisbeth Frømling, chair of G+ and senior vice president for QHSE at Ørsted. “We must never be complacent.”
The G+ 2024 Incident Data Report details 99 lost work day injuries, 57 restricted work day injuries, 74 medical treatment injuries and 245 high potential incidents. Manual handling remains the leading cause of injury with 121 cases.
Development sites saw a 75% increase in injury reports, while jack-up vessels and barges accounted for 14% of all injuries – a 42% year-on-year increase.
New reporting from Finland and India has been included for the first time. The 2024 report also introduces initial analysis of injury type and body part affected, with plans for deeper insights in 2025.
Energy Institute chief executive Nick Wayth said: “As the sector expands globally, it is essential that safety standards keep pace.”
G+, which is housed at the Energy Institute, comprises 13 major offshore wind companies including Ørsted, Equinor, RWE, Siemens Gamesa, Vattenfall and Vestas. It coordinates work across data reporting, good practice guidance, design safety and incident learning.
With operations expanding in Asia Pacific, and the G+ 2025 Stakeholder Forum due to take place in South Korea, the group aims to ensure lessons from Europe’s early offshore wind buildout are shared globally.
The full report and access to the Toolbox incident learning platform are available on the G+ website.