Fatal incident at Golden Plains wind farm raises serious safety concerns

Credit: 11 Nov 2024 · Australian Workers' Union · nationaltribune.com.au ~~

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The AWU Victoria is extremely frustrated and angry following a worker [36-year-old Jess Patience] being killed at the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Rokewood this morning.

“This devastating loss could have been prevented,” said Ronnie Hayden, AWU Victoria State Secretary.

“Just two weeks ago, union delegates from three different unions met with Vestas management to raise serious safety concerns, telling them it was only dumb luck that nobody had been killed on site yet.”

The incident occurs against a backdrop of mounting safety concerns at the project.

The AWU has consistently raised alarms about the mounting pressure on workers due to significant project delays.

Of particular concern has been Vestas’ decision to engage non-unionised contractors for some of the most dangerous work on site, a practice that has contributed to both safety risks and project timeline issues.

Our Delegates and Organisers have found a concerning pattern of inadequate supervision across the worksite.

Vestas appears to have attempted to transfer its safety obligations onto subcontractors who lack the necessary training and resources to manage complex safety requirements.

This practice of delegating critical safety responsibilities without proper oversight has created dangerous gaps in safety protocols.

“This is yet another worker killed on a Victorian worksite that demands answers,” Hayden continued.

“WorkSafe and the Victorian Government cannot continue to stand by while workers die.

“We need more than just investigations and reports, we need immediate action on site safety and stronger enforcement of regulations.”

“This is not just another statistic, this is a worker who went to work and never came home,” Hayden said.

“How many more families need to lose their loved ones before WorkSafe, and the Victorian Government take real action? We’re sick of hollow investigations and paperwork while workers are killed.

“When bosses cut corners on safety and workers die, they belong behind bars – it’s that simple.

“We fought hard for industrial manslaughter laws, but they’re gathering dust while bodies pile up.

“This isn’t just negligence anymore – it’s criminal, and it’s time we started treating it that way.”

Source: 11 Nov 2024 · Australian Workers' Union · nationaltribune.com.au

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