Wind turbine death sparks claims of languishing law
Unions want a review of industrial manslaughter laws after the death of a wind farm worker. Photo: AAP
Victoria’s industrial manslaughter laws are copping scrutiny following the death of a wind farm contractor crushed under a turbine blade, prompting a workplace watchdog investigation.
WorkSafe is investigating after the 36-year-old subcontractor died at the Golden Plains Wind Farm project on Monday morning.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy and our thoughts are with the family of the worker as well as their workmates,” Victorian WorkSafe Minister Danny Pearson said.
WorkSafe Minister Danny Pearson says the subcontractor’s death is heartbreaking. Photo: AAP
Vestas, the Danish wind giant building the project, said it was devastated by the incident and was assisting with inquiries.
The Australian Workers Union slammed Vestas for using non-unionised workers for dangerous on-site jobs, and said delegates had reported safety concerns at Golden Plains.
The AWU, along with the CFMEU and the Electrical Trades Union, had raised concerns with Vestas only weeks before the tragedy.
AWU state secretary Ronnie Hayden said industrial manslaughter laws enacted in 2020, which included up to 25 years in prison for employees found responsible for worker deaths, were gathering dust.
“There’s 298 workers killed in Victoria since industrial manslaughter laws came in and nobody’s doing anything about it,” Hayden told ABC Radio on Monday.
“When bosses cut corners on safety and workers die, they belong behind bars – it’s that simple,” he said.
Union delegates say they reported safety concerns about the project. Photo: AAP
It was a sentiment echoed by CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.
“The CFMEU has made multiple written and verbal safety reports of Vestas to the Victorian safety regulator, WorkSafe,” he said.
“Large multinationals with terrible international safety records need to know that they can’t bring those practices to Australia.”
On Monday, Vestas Australia and New Zealand boss Danny Nielsen said safety was the organisation’s top priority, but would not confirm the union claims.
“Vestas meets with unions every single week, and they discuss a broad range of matters,” he said.
“To my knowledge, this particular incident has not been discussed in any meeting.”
The project has been temporarily halted while the investigation continues.
The Golden Plains Wind Farm project is slated to be the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Once completed, it will generate about 9 per cent of Victoria’s energy demand.
-AAP
