INCIDENT: WORKMAN IN WIND TURBINE FALL

Investigation launched after workman falls “inside” turbine structure

It has been reported by the Lancashire Telegraph (24th November 2013) that a construction worker has fallen 40 feet from a wind turbine at the new windfarm on Flower Scar Road, off Todmorden Road, Bacup.

The man, in his 30s, is said to have been “working inside the turbine when he fell”. He was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital after the incident.

An air ambulance spokewoman said he was taken to hospital with suspected lower spine and pelvic injuries in the fall, but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

North West ambulance service, the police, fire service and the Pendle and Rossendale Mountain Rescue team attended the scene. A spokesman for the HSE said enquiries were being made.

Andy Simpson, Team Leader with Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue, said:

“We received a call that a man had fallen from a wind turbine just outside Bacup. We arrived at the scene and found that the construction worker had suffered a 40 foot fall onto a platform. He had fallen while inside one of the turbines that are currently being built.

The ambulance service put him onto an immobilising stretcher and took him to hospital. We had two team members with him helping the emergency services while he was being taken to the ambulance.”

Peter Dixon, a spokesman for Glennmont Partner, which owns the site, said:

“We are concerned about something like this and we’ve acted very quickly to gather information. We are gathering information and, in due course, we will know fully what happened.”

This article was posted on 25th November 2013 in ALL LATEST NEWS, INCIDENTS, WORK AT HEIGHT.
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INCIDENT: WORKMAN IN WIND TURBINE FALL

Investigation launched after workman falls “inside” turbine structure

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