Tragic incident at wind farm under investigation

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating a wind farm fatality in Rokewood on 11 November 2024. The site had only recently begun its first stage of feeding renewable energy into Victoria’s electricity grid, following 20 months of construction.

It is understood a number of blades were at ground level being prepared for a lift when one of them is alleged to have become dislodged from a supporting platform and struck the 36-year-old man just after 8 am on 11 November.

WorkSafe investigators, technical experts and dedicated renewable energies construction inspectors remain onsite.

In an AWU Victoria statement, the union said it had previously raised alarms about the mounting pressure on workers due to project delays and inadequate supervision across this wind farm worksite.

“We need more than just investigations and reports, we need immediate action on site safety and stronger enforcement of regulations,” said Ronnie Hayden, AWU Victoria State Secretary.

“This is not just another statistic, this is a worker who went to work and never came home.”

Image credit: iStock.com/hudiemm