CFMEU raises concerns about safety violations at MacIntyre Wind Farm construction site

A powerful union has set its sights on a major Queensland renewables project, after a worker on the site avoided death or serious injury when the crane he was operating brought a powerline down.

One of the most powerful unions in the state claims it is only a matter of time before a worker is seriously injured or killed on the worksite where the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere is being built.

Work on the MacIntyre Wind Farm began in late 2022, and in that time several prime movers and dump trucks have rolled including one carrying a massive wind turbine blade.

In mid-January a crane operator was sent onto a nearby farm to pick up a tank of water when it struck an overhead power line, bringing it down and starting a grass fire.

CFMEU Assistant Secretary for Queensland and the Northern Territory Kane Lowth said the downed powerline electrified the crane and forced the operator to do a “superman jump” from the cab or risked receiving a fatal shock.

The CFMEU has raised concerns about safety at Acciona MacIntyre Wind Farm construction site.

“The crane is burnt out,” he said.

“It’s gone.”

The union alleged the crane operator was sent in to the neighbouring farm without the proper preparation work and as they were reversing struck the powerline.

“He would not have been told about the hazards,” Mr Lowth said.

“Since 2008 there have been no fatalities on CFMEU sites and when you look at all the building sites we are at, that is a pretty good record to have.

“I know people who have left in management (at the MacIntyre Wind Farm) because they can see a death coming and they don’t want their name on it.

“The ultimate responsibility sits with Acciona.”

The CFMEU said a prime mover rolled at the as it was carrying a large turbine blade.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigated the powerline strike and visited the MacIntyre site on January 15.

A spokeswoman for the regulator said five notices were issued for that incident.

Three were issued to the principal contractor, and two to subcontractors.

WHSQ has issued a total of 34 improvement notices, three infringement notices, and two prohibition notices to the principal contractor, and 25 improvement notices, five infringement notices and two prohibition notices to 12 subcontractors since work started in 2022.

All notices have been complied with.

The MacIntyre Wind Farm is a joint venture between Acciona Energia and Ark Energy and is expected to cost about $4bn.

Work started after Acciona Energia signed a power purchase agreement with the state government to sell some of the electricity generated from the project.

Acciona Energia director of engineering and construction Daniel Belton said there had been some safety issues, including the rollover of a prime mover carrying a turbine blade.

“While we have had over 50 blades arrive safely and transported through the site, it was a signal for us to pause and bring everyone together to understand what went wrong and refresh our focus on safety at work,” he said.

“We’ve since had ‘stop for safety’ discussions across site, stopping work to discuss issues as well as conducting safety audits of both ourselves and our contractors amongst other activities.

“All incidents have been investigated and lessons learnt put in place to prevent them from reoccurring. We also continue to work closely with Workplace Health and Safety QLD informing them of issues openly and honestly.

“The MacIntyre Wind Farm is an important project, however, we will not compromise safety in order to rush its progress.

“Acciona Energia is absolutely committed to maintaining a safe workplace ensuring everyone gets home safely.”