Health and safety firm for the onshore wind industry SafetyOn has revealed continued improvement in industry safety in its latest report.
The study showed a reduction in both major incidents and severe injuries, based on data submitted by SafetyOn member companies.
It also revealed significant progress in reducing workplace risk and injuries across UK onshore wind farms, despite a year of unprecedented industry growth.
Incident rates rose by 8%, but this was against a 17% increase in hours worked, resulting in a drop in incident rate.
In addition, the incidents with the potential for severe injury or fatality fell by 8%, representing just 15% of all incidents – the lowest proportion since 2020.
There was also a major reduction in severe injuries, with lost work day incidents dropping by 59%, and no fatalities were reported for the second consecutive year.
Hand injuries, which are the most common injury type, fell by 15%, with hand and power tools dropping by 71%.
But manual handling and access/egress and fallen object risks have risen. Incidents involving fallen objects rose by 75%, highlighting evolving risk areas that require renewed industry focus.
While the 2024 data represents overall a positive trajectory for the sector, SafetyOn said “its members remain resolute in their focus to uphold and strengthen industry safety standards”.
Based at the Energy Institute, this is the fifth iteration of the SafetyOn Incident Data report. New for 2025, SafetyOn is expanding its remit to the Republic of Ireland and is partnering with G+ to deliver a manual handling campaign.
Heather Chambers, Chair of SafetyOn and Head of Health, Safety and Environment at Vantage RE, said:
“SafetyOn has been dedicating itself to enhancing standards in the industry and keeping industry leaders informed about incidents for half a decade now. The results of this year’s Incident Data Report demonstrate that we are making continued progress in this mission.
“SafetyOn’s efforts ensure that health and safety incidents are continuously tracked, with measures taken to address issues and learn from incidents, creating a safer work environment for all.
“Although I’m pleased to see a reduction in incident rates, there is always more work to be done. SafetyOn will continue to be data-led in our approach to ensuring the highest possible safety standards in the onshore wind sector are met.”
Dr Nick Wayth CEng FEI, CEO of the Energy Institute, the home of SafetyOn, commented:
“The removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind in the UK has opened up new opportunities to provide safe, clean and green energy to British consumers while supporting new jobs in the energy sector.
“SafetyOn does vital work identifying and addressing safety concerns on sites across the UK, and it’s good to see continued progress in 2024. As SafetyOn expands its remit to the Republic of Ireland, I’m confident that the team will continue to deliver higher standards for its members in a burgeoning industry.”
Image from EI
