UK HSE: electrician seriously injured on onshore wind farm
- Safety Flash
- Published on 15 April 2026
- Generated on 17 April 2026
- IMCA SF 07/26
- 2 minute read
The UK HSE has fined a wind farm management company after a worker was seriously injured. See press release.
What happened?
A worker was sent to carry out maintenance work in an electrical substation at an onshore wind farm. There was an electrical flashover, and the worker suffered injuries resulting in life-changing injuries that required multiple surgeries.
What went wrong?
Investigation found that:
- The incident happened following a departure from the prepared switching programme. This meant work was allowed to be carried out on one of the two electrical cabinets while the other remained live, allowing part of the electrical system to be energised during the maintenance work.
- If the initial switching programme prepared by the operating company been correctly followed, the incident would not have occurred.
- The company did not have a suitable system or process in place to:
- Check or review switching programmes to ensure that the procedures were correctly observed at all times, or,
- Approve any changes to the initial switching programmes.
What are the lessons?
- Ensure there is a safe system of work at all times.
- Manage change appropriately through the Management of Change (MoC) process.
- Manage simultaneous operations and complex parallel tasks carefully.
- Are there rigorous processes in place for checking and reviewing electrical work?
- Is there appropriate and sufficient supervision?
Members may wish to refer to:
· HSE guidance on electrical safety Electrical safety - HSE
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 01/26
12 January 2026
-
-
IMCA SF 10/19
13 May 2019
-
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.