Tools are down, for the moment at least, at the MacIntyre Wind Farm in the Southern Downs as workers mourn the loss of a colleague.
Construction has halted at the MacIntyre Wind Farm at Karara, southwest of Toowoomba, following a tragic incident at another site that left workers across projects mourning. The suspension follows the death of a 36-year-old wind turbine technician on Monday at the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria, where he was fatally injured by a falling turbine blade.
The technician was employed by Professional Wind Services (PWS), a South Australian firm specializing in turbine installation and maintenance. PWS and Danish heavy crane operator BMS, both subcontractors under Vestas Wind Services, were involved in the Victorian wind farm and are also contracted to Acciona for Karara's MacIntyre Wind Farm, one of Australia's largest renewable energy projects with 162 turbines nearing completion.
Employees have reported deep sorrow and went forward to pause work at MacIntyre as the company reviews safety procedures.
An Acciona representative echoed the sentiment to the media, confirming work was halted at Karara’s MacIntyre Wind Farm immediately following the incident in Victoria. Located in Queensland’s Darling Downs region, the 923MW MacIntyre project is one of the largest wind farms in the southern hemisphere, with only three turbines remaining to be constructed.
WorkSafe investigators in Victoria reported that the fatal accident occurred when one of the turbine blades became dislodged from its support platform.
