RenewableUK is today announcing that Windcat has won the Renewable Energy Health & Safety Award for 2016 in recognition of their WindGrip system.

The announcement was made 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.

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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.