Technician receives injuries after improper fall arrest system usage during inspection on wind turbine

A technician was completing a statutory inspection of a service lift on a wind turbine.

The technician planned to access the yaw platform by using the service lift to reach the upper lift termination platform. There was a height difference of around 5.5 metres (18 feet) between the two platforms.

To access the yaw platform, the technician had to climb a fixed ladder.

Before climbing the ladder, the technician connected a fall arrest rail for safety.

Upon reaching the yaw platform, the technician opened the self-closing gate of the barrier and kept it open using their foot.

While disconnecting the fall arrest slider from the rail, the technician lost their balance and fell backwards into the empty space, which was approximately 5.5 metres deep.

As a result of the fall, the technician experienced pain in their right foot, which was later diagnosed as a calcaneal fracture.

The incident had the potential for severe consequences, such as a permanent disability or fatality.

The technician removed their slider from the fall arrest system while holding the gate open with their foot, which compromised the gate's safety.

Procedures were not used or not followed properly.

The management system lacked the implementation of standards, policies, or administrative controls that could have prevented or addressed such unsafe practices.

Establish a formal familiarisation process for technicians on the correct use of the fall arrest system when accessing or leaving the yaw platform. Define specific steps, such as climbing the ladder, approaching the gate, and connecting/disconnecting the slider.

Technicians should be using the fall arrest system correctly to mitigate the risk of falls. Conduct regular checks and inspections to verify proper usage.

Investigate the cultural factors contributing to the lack of standard practice in using safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) across the workforce. Consider engaging behavioural safety experts to work alongside the workforce, promoting understanding and implementation of best practices.

Enhance future investigations to include a focus on human factors in addition to technical aspects.

Can you describe the process you follow when connecting and disconnecting the fall arrest system while accessing the yaw platform/similar areas?

• What safety equipment do you use, and how do you ensure it's properly connected?
• What other precautions do you take during this process?

What other hazards are there with working at heights on wind turbines? What safety measures (i.e. procedures, controls/barriers) do we have in place to mitigate the risk?

What improvements or changes should we make to the procedures, controls/barriers, or the way we work?