The global offshore wind sector recorded a rise in work-related injuries in 2024, despite unprecedented growth in operational activity, according to new data published by the G+ Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation.
The industry logged a record 79 million work hours last year — a 27% increase compared with 2023 — but also reported a 7% rise in its Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR), reaching 2.93, and a 19% increase in the Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF), which rose to 1.27.
The year also saw one fatality, involving a worker who died during the disassembly of a monopile up-ending tool. A second worker was hospitalised in the same incident.
“Growth brings new and evolving risks,” said Lisbeth Frømling, chair of G+ and senior vice president for QHSE at Ørsted. “We must never be complacent.”
The G+ 2024 Incident Data Report recorded 99 lost work day injuries, 57 restricted work day injuries, 74 medical treatment injuries and 245 high-potential incidents. Manual handling remained the leading cause of injury, accounting for 121 cases.
Injury reporting from development sites increased by 75%, while incidents involving jack-up vessels and barges rose by 42% year-on-year, accounting for 14% of all reported injuries.
For the first time, the report included data from Finland and India and introduced an initial analysis of injury type and body part affected, with more detailed insights planned for 2025.
“As the sector expands globally, it is essential that safety standards keep pace,” said Nick Wayth, chief executive of the Energy Institute, which houses the G+ programme.
G+ comprises 13 major offshore wind developers and manufacturers, including Ørsted, Equinor, RWE, Siemens Gamesa, Vattenfall and Vestas. The group coordinates initiatives around safety data reporting, design guidance, and incident learning.
With offshore wind operations expanding rapidly in Asia Pacific, the G+ 2025 Stakeholder Forum is scheduled to take place in South Korea. Organisers say the event will aim to ensure that lessons from Europe’s early offshore wind development are applied in emerging global markets.
The full report and access to the G+ Toolbox safety learning platform are available on the G+ website.
