Wind turbine collapses!

[Nemesis]

http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=583033

 

[MdB]

Unfortunate picture here:
http://ukcommentators.blogspot.com/2008/01/it-fell-over.html
(I can't do a direct link to the picture - sorry - blame blogspot)

 

[middi]

Shame

The enquiry will probably find out that bigger ,rust proof,anchor bolts would have done the trick.

 

[Nemesis]

I know it well and pass on that road frequently...

:shock:

 

[Flyfisher]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7168275.stm

The Health and Safety Executive said it would not investigate the incident as no-one was hurt.

How odd not to investigate a catastrophic failure just because no one is hurt. How do they know the same type of failure won't affect other wind turbines, with possibly fatal results next time? No wonder 'H&S' is so often mocked. :roll:

 

[Nemesis]

J Stobart & Sons, which has been operating for around 40 years, notified the HSE. The HSE is waiting for further details before deciding whether a full investigation needs to be carried out. Peter Stobart, one of the company’s directors, has confirmed that investigations will be carried out by the contractor employed to maintain the turbine, as well as insurers

That's according to the local press, on the 4th.

 

[biffvernon]

How odd not to investigate a catastrophic failure just because no one is hurt.

That's pretty standard. Should they get involved everytime anything falls over? This was a rather small turbine and there are unlikely to be any lessons to learn from the incident.

 

[Nemesis]

It could have been worse - it didn't damage the period building it stands next to!

 

[Flyfisher]

Should they get involved everytime anything falls over? This was a rather small turbine and there are unlikely to be any lessons to learn from the incident.

That sounds a bit complacent to me. I would have thought that any executive body charged with pursuing public safety should definitely get involved when a 100 ft steel tower collapses.

And I can't believe you're so dismissive about learning any lessons from such a failure. Even learning that there is no systematic problem would surely be valuable, not to mention reassuring, given the ever-increasing numbers of these things.

But never mind, maybe the next one will kill someone and H&S will have to get involved :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

So let's not make accusations in future about the Nanny State then.

Ya can't have it both ways I suppose.


http://www.hse.gov.uk/regulation/index.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

 

[Flyfisher]

Isn't the term 'nanny state' aimed at the over-regulation of the more trivial things that affect our lives and not allowing people to exercise their own judgements?

I freely admit that I don't consider the catastrophic failure of a 100 ft tower to be a trivial event that doesn;t require the HSE to investigate. Perhaps I'm alone in this view?

What I find astonishing is the HSE's statement that they won't investigate because no one was hurt. I've always thought it better to prevent death or injury rather than understand how and why it happened after the event.

So, (random example) we have legislation that forces manufacturers to use pre-wired moulded mains plugs because we can't be trusted to fit one properly or know when to get an electrician to do it for us, yet a 100ft collapsing tower doesn't merit an investigation to find out what went wrong.

Why can't we have it both ways? HSE (and similar bodies) just need to prioritise the serious stuff over the trivial struff.

 

[Nemesis]

You will find that desperate traffic situations are not altered unless there are fatalities.

And has the HSE said it will definitely not investigate? Not as far as I know.

 

[Flyfisher]

Well, my earlier quote was from the BBC so it must be true :wink:

Hopefully some sense will prevail and they'll change their mind.

 

[Penners]

You see, that's what happens when you go and put a wind turbine in a windy place.

Very stupid - it was an accident waiting to happen.

 

[chuckey]

Middi, as the bottom 8' or is clearly standing up, I doubt the its ground fixings are in doubt. As the break is a clean one it looks like a circumferencial weld failed, possibley at the top of internal gussetting.
Frank

 

[Penners]

There's a lesson there for us all. Take care of your gusseting, or it'll let you down.

 

[Aidan]

Postcode CA7 8HP, for those with Google Earth.
It seems to have fallen to the north, in a small arc that was clear of buildings, fortunately, I don't think lucky is the right word..

 

[Nemesis]

I agree. I know the site well - and there are lessons here to be learned about siting these surely?

It's slap in the middle of the buildings, high on a hill. Yes it needs wind, but maybe it had too much of it!

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/549484

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/283036

Left of the tree, top of the hill.

In case anyone wishes to visit the site, refreshments are recommended here:

http://www.theoldcrownpub.com/

And:

Another audience with Al Murray Pub Landlord
The Old Crown will soon be featured as Pub of the week on this primetime ITV show. Filming in London will take place on Tuesday January 22nd 2008. and the show will be screened on the following Saturday, 26th January We have now selected a team of six people to accompany us on an expenses paid trip to London to appear on the show.

(it's been on telly before - Two Fat Ladies)

Mine's a pint of Doris's.

Here's one of the regulars:


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]



[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[chuckey]

I once stayed at a place about 50m down from the Crown, only guest in, for my first night, I went into a HUGE ballroom/dining room. Had a good meal, but it was so spooky, only person, partial lighting etc. Remaining evenings spent at the Crown. Can't remember much about the place (Hic!) :lol:
FWIW the windturbine failure hardly compares to the Emley tower failure (1968)- again no casualties.
Frank

 

[biffvernon]

We stayed at that B&B a few years ago. Fortunately it was curry night at the Crown, one of the best pubs in the land.