Siemens, RWE fined following 2009 turbine death

Siemens and RWE have been fined a total of £152,000 in connection with the death of a wind turbine technician at the Causeymire wind farm in Scotland six years ago.

Tain Sheriff Court heard that 27-year-old Siemens representative Colin Sinclair was killed when he came into contact with an unguarded rotating gearbox shaft in a turbine nacelle during a warranty inspection on 16 September 2009.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the gearbox in turbine 18 had been inadequately guarded since January that same year, exposing the rotating shafts.

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.

Sinclair was one of four people in the turbine when the accident ocurred, two from each company. The other individuals were uninjured.

HSE said: “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 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 called. Colin Sinclair was pronounced dead at the scene.”

HSE inspector Niall Miller said after the hearing: “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.”

Image: the Causeymire wind farm (Donald Bain/Creative Commons)