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What happened?
During a turbine upgrade, a technician was tasked with installing covers inside an electrical cabinet.
The technician attempted to establish local control and isolate the system using remote switching.
A misinterpretation of the control light led to incorrect positioning of the local/remote switch.
Although other isolations were applied correctly, the switchgear did not re-energise as expected.
Communication delays occurred while troubleshooting why the turbine remained offline.
The issue was resolved without injury, but the situation was classified as a high potential near miss.
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Why did it happen?
The technician did not follow the approved procedure for establishing local control.
Misunderstanding of system indicators led to incorrect switch positioning.
The written procedure was available but not adhered to.
Communication between team members was unclear during the troubleshooting process.
The incident revealed gaps in procedural compliance and decision-making.
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What did they learn?
Strict adherence to approved procedures is essential for safe system isolation
Technicians must be fully trained and competent in interpreting system indicators
Clear communication protocols should be reinforced during critical operations
Review and refresh training on wind turbine safety rules and isolation
Ensure supervision oversight during high-risk tasks involving electrical systems.
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Ask yourself or your crew
Are we confident that all personnel understand and can follow isolation procedures?
How do we verify correct switch positioning during turbine operations?
What steps can we take to improve communication during troubleshooting?
Are our training materials clear and up to date for electrical safety?
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What happened?
During a turbine upgrade, a technician was tasked with installing covers inside an electrical cabinet.
The technician attempted to establish local control and isolate the system using remote switching.
A misinterpretation of the control light led to incorrect positioning of the local/remote switch.
Although other isolations were applied correctly, the switchgear did not re-energise as expected.
Communication delays occurred while troubleshooting why the turbine remained offline.
The issue was resolved without injury, but the situation was classified as a high potential near miss.
Why did it happen?
The technician did not follow the approved procedure for establishing local control.
Misunderstanding of system indicators led to incorrect switch positioning.
The written procedure was available but not adhered to.
Communication between team members was unclear during the troubleshooting process.
The incident revealed gaps in procedural compliance and decision-making.
What did they learn?
Strict adherence to approved procedures is essential for safe system isolation
Technicians must be fully trained and competent in interpreting system indicators
Clear communication protocols should be reinforced during critical operations
Review and refresh training on wind turbine safety rules and isolation
Ensure supervision oversight during high-risk tasks involving electrical systems.
Ask yourself or your crew
Are we confident that all personnel understand and can follow isolation procedures?
How do we verify correct switch positioning during turbine operations?
What steps can we take to improve communication during troubleshooting?
Are our training materials clear and up to date for electrical safety?
A control light was misread during a turbine upgrade, keeping the switchgear offline. The delay was resolved without injury but was a high potential near miss.
