Course Overview:
This case study summarizes a specialized accident investigation training course conducted for employees in the wind energy industry. The course focused on building core competencies in investigating incidents that occur during wind farm operations, maintenance, and construction—where the risks of working at height, remote locations, and heavy equipment are significant. Emphasis was placed on improving safety outcomes and strengthening a culture of safety across all levels of the organization.

What Happened on the Course:
Participants began by exploring the importance of effective accident investigation in preventing recurrence and protecting the workforce. In the context of wind energy, this included scenarios such as turbine maintenance incidents, dropped tools from height, electrical hazards, and equipment failure.

The course then addressed the critical first steps following an incident: securing the scene—often in challenging environments like nacelles or remote turbine locations—and gathering and preserving time-sensitive evidence such as tool placement, weather conditions, and crew witness accounts.

Attendees reviewed company-specific policies and industry regulations guiding investigations, such as those from the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and local HSE authorities. These frameworks provided the foundation for consistent and legally compliant investigation processes.

A realistic simulation exercise allowed participants to apply their knowledge in a controlled setting. Teams worked through a staged wind turbine maintenance incident, identifying root causes, interviewing "witnesses," and producing a full incident report complete with corrective actions.

The course concluded with reflective analysis, encouraging participants to consider how human factors—like fatigue, communication breakdowns in remote teams, and assumptions made under pressure—can lead to incidents or influence the quality of investigations.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Deepened understanding of how investigations contribute to operational safety and culture
• Ability to respond effectively to incidents and protect critical evidence
• Familiarity with wind industry-specific policies and legal requirements
• Hands-on experience conducting a complete investigation
• Recognition of the role human factors and organizational culture play in both incidents and their investigation
• Clear understanding that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that individual actions shape the overall risk environment