The report states that an
investigation has now been launched into what caused the huge structure to
collapse amid the sound of grinding metal, which could be heard as far away as
seven miles. It remains unclear why the
turbine fell on Friday, during a period of light winds which reached around
15mph - the equivalent of a breeze. The
wreckage of the turbine was a mass of twisted and buckled metal. Debris from
the large mechanical structure was scattered across the mountain in northern
Ireland, where it stood with eight others.
In what one termed as the scandal of
UK's death-trap wind turbines, a turbine built for 115mph winds felled in 50mph
gusts. Dozens more affected by cost-cutting. Why residents living in their
shadow are demanding answers ?. It is understood the rotor blades spun out of
control and the sound of the mechanical structure crashing to the ground was
compared to an explosion. The director of the wind farm is quoted as saying
that fortunately there wree no injuries as no personnel were on site at that
time. She added that they are satisfied that the site's precautionary health
and safety alert processes worked well with local emergency services in
attendance within minutes of the incident taking place.
In January last year a 115ft tall
turbine was felled by gales in Bradworthy in Devon. Months later three turbines
- built to withstand winds of up to
115mph fell when speeds barely reached 50mph in Devon. The Health and Safety Executive found the
cause of the crashing turbines was due to faults in the way they had been put
together, which could have affected hundreds of others
The reference to Fire Policy was
only for the coverage in terms of wind speed, there could be Erection and other
specialised coverages as well.
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
5th Jan 2015.
