Blade incident during installation

What happened?

A wind turbine nacelle was being prepared for the installation of the last 2 blades.

During the turning of the hub ready for fitting, the blade being lifted into place rotated and contacted the auxiliary crane.

“All stop” was called over the radio and no persons were injured.

The tip of the wind turbine blade suffered minor damage.

The crane involved in the lifting operation was also damaged.

Permission was granted for the lift to take place, without having a spotter in the vicinity of the rotating blade.

Despite a spotter joining the operation later, they were distracted and didn’t see the wind turbine blade start to rotate while being lifted.

During blade lifting operations, a spotter must always be in place to monitor the operation.

Communications between technicians must be constant during large scale operations like this.

Damage to both the wind turbine blade and the main crane was minimal.

Is there the adequate number of spotters available before a lift can occur?

Are spotters ready in all locations to adequately monitor the lifting operation?

What safety measures (i.e. procedures, controls/barriers) do we have in place to mitigate the risk?

What happened?

A wind turbine nacelle was being prepared for the installation of the last 2 blades.
During the turning of the hub ready for fitting, the blade being lifted into place rotated and contacted the auxiliary crane.
“All stop” was called over the radio and no persons were injured.
The tip of the wind turbine blade suffered minor damage.
The crane involved in the lifting operation was also damaged.
Why did it happen?

Permission was granted for the lift to take place, without having a spotter in the vicinity of the rotating blade.
Despite a spotter joining the operation later, they were distracted and didn’t see the wind turbine blade start to rotate while being lifted.
What did they learn?

During blade lifting operations, a spotter must always be in place to monitor the operation.
Communications between technicians must be constant during large scale operations like this.
Damage to both the wind turbine blade and the main crane was minimal.
Ask yourself or your crew

Is there the adequate number of spotters available before a lift can occur?
Are spotters ready in all locations to adequately monitor the lifting operation?
What safety measures (i.e. procedures, controls/barriers) do we have in place to mitigate the risk?