OSHA investigating deaths of 2 workers at Nebraska wind farm

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Tue Feb 25, 2025, 06:35 PM - Edit history (1)

FULL story: http://archive.today/XBdMK

Kevin Cole 54 mins ago

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating after two maintenance workers died Friday at a northeast Nebraska wind farm, according to the company that operates the facility.

Scott Allen, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor, confirmed the investigation into the workers' employer, Wind Composite Services Group, LLC.

An equipment failure resulted in the deaths of the crew members at a wind farm near the village of Winside, according to a statement from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Eddy Noriega Sebinet, 46, and Raidel Justiz Noriega, 37, both of Las Vegas, Nevada, fell from a turbine and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Orsted Onshore North America, a Danish energy company that operates the Plum Creek Wind Farm near Winside, said the men were employed by WindCom, a supplier to turbine manufacturer GE Vernova. A person who answered the phone Tuesday at WindCom headquarters in Houston, said the company would have no comment.

FULL story at link above.

ORIGINAL link: https://omaha.com/news/state-regional/article_7a3c266c-f38b-11ef-a833-77e7cd7fc246.html

[Historic NY]

1. They fell from a turbine that tells me they weren't strapped

According to OSHA, when employees operate on top of wind turbines, they must be protected from fall hazards by using personal fall arrest systems, such as safety harnesses and lifelines, as per the general industry standards (29 CFR 1910.27), particularly when working at heights exceeding 4 feet;

https://www.tractel.com/us/resources/height-safety-productivity-solutions-resources/electric-power-utilities/workplace-safety-in-the-renewable-energy-sector-keeping-wind-turbine-climbers-safe]

[SheltieLover]

2. Right!