RenewableUK: Windcat won Renewable Energy Health & Safety Award for 2016 for its WindGrip system

LONDON, 01-Feb-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — RenewableUK is today announcing that Windcat has won the Renewable Energy Health & Safety Award for 2016 in recognition of their WindGrip system.

The award was presented yesterday; on the eve of RenewableUK’s annual Health and Safety Conference in Birmingham, the UK’s premier health and safety event for the wind, wave and tidal energy sector.

The WindGrip system is an innovation which aims to improve the safety and accessibility of offshore wind turbines. It is also a great example of how the wind industry is driving down costs while continually improving its health and safety performance.

The runners-up prize went to Deutsche Windtechnik, a new entrant to the UK market, for their hazard-reporting app (NCCAPA). The app was developed as a way of creating the right safety culture within the company from the outset, and to engage employees with the relevant issues.

RenewableUK’s Director of Health & Safety, Chris Streatfeild, said: “We had an outstanding shortlist of finalists this year, reinforcing the absolute priority given to health and safety issues by the whole industry working both onshore and offshore.

While each entry had its own merits in addressing the often complex risks faced by companies on a day-to-day basis, it was clear that innovation and the tangible improvements in health and safety standards were key features of the winner and runner up.”

In addition, the newly created Jerry Carnell Special Commendation Health & Safety Award was presented to Peter Lloyd MBE. Peter is currently Global Head of the Centre of Competence at Siemens Energy, working to identify best health and safety practices across the company’s offshore renewables projects. He has been active across the industry for a number of years, making real contributions to safety standards.

Chris Streatfeild added: “Peter is a worthy winner of this award and exemplifies all of the positive characteristics of individuals who are keen to make things happen. He has been instrumental in driving many important health and safety initiatives forward for the best interests of all those working in the industry. I am sure Jerry Carnell would have been fully supportive of this recognition by his industry peers”.

This new award was created in recognition of Jerry Carnell who passed away in 2015. Jerry was a long standing and active member of the renewables industry and was instrumental in championing a variety of health and safety projects. He was also a highly respected professional who made a substantial contribution to raising standards across the sector.

Notes:

1. More details on the conference can be found here: http://www.renewableuk.com/en/events/conferences-and-exhibitions/health-safety-2016/

Media Contacts:

• Robert Norris, Head of Communications, 020 7901 3013 or 07969 229913
  
• Adam Wentworth, Communications Officer, 020 7901 3038 or 07791 702 702

RenewableUK is the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association, specialising in onshore wind, offshore wind and wave & tidal energy. Formed in 1978, we have an established, large corporate membership ranging from small independent companies, to large international corporations and manufacturers. Acting as a central point of information and a united, representative voice for our membership, we conduct research; find solutions; organise events, facilitate business development, and promote wind and marine renewables to government, industry, the media and the public. Our vision is for renewable energy to play a leading role in powering the UK.