This article isn’t directly related to our stainless steel world, however it is a reminder that we work in a potentially dangerous environment. Every precaution should be undertaken to ensure that anyone who goes to work in the morning returns safely at the end of their shift.
No one goes to work to be injured.
Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the young man involved in this catastrophe.
A man working for Bam Nuttall has died following an incident at a windfarm site in Shetland.
The incident happened yesterday morning at an SSE Renewables-operated site in the Upper Kergord area, where a converter is being built as part of the Viking windfarm project which will see 103 turbines set around Shetland.
The 23-year-old man was attended to by emergency crews following the incident but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
On completion, the 450Mw Viking Energy wind farm will link up with the HVDC transmission link between Shetland and the Scottish mainland. Bam Nuttall is main contractor for the construction of the Shetland HVDC link and all associated infrastructure.
A Bam Nuttall spokesman said: “We can confirm an incident at our Viking Windfarm project site on Shetland, today, has resulted in the tragic fatality of a colleague.
“Our condolences are with their family, and support is being made available to them and to members of the team.
“An investigation is under way and we’re working closely with our client and the authorities.”
SSE Renewables head of onshore projects Derek Hastings said: “We are devastated by today’s news and our thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the young man who tragically died.
“We are working closely with Bam Nuttall and the relevant authorities to understand what happened.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said that “inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and the Health and Safety Executive will be informed in due course”.
In July 2020, Scottish civil engineering contractor RJ McLeod was awarded the main contract to build the 103-turbine windfarm.
Following this, the pouring of concrete on the first wind turbine base took place in September 2021. In an all-day operation a fleet of ready-mix lorries delivered the required 700m3 of concrete to pump into the base of turbine K84 on the Mid Kame hills.
The windfarm will power 475,000 homes, and is due to be connected to the National Grid in 2024.
