They’ve been described as the future of UK energy and their farms are causing a stir across the country, claiming to be the safest and greenest way to power our homes, businesses and streets. But new information released by industry trade body RenewableUK has revealed wind farms aren’t quite as safe as we may have thought, with four deaths and over 300 work accident injuries occuring over the last five years.

Most turbines shut down when the wind speed rises above 56mph, this one didn't and burnt out as a result

The figures came in the same week that dramatic pictures were taken of wind turbines in Scotland bursting into flames and keeling over due to severe storm conditions. Accidents recorded in the released dossier include:

– A 14 tonne blade shearing off a turbine in Glasgow
– Lumps of ice being thrown from blades on a 410-ft high turbine in Peterborough
– A blade flying off a wind turbine in Stevenage and landing on a hospital staff member’s car.
– In 2009 a 50ft turbine collapsed in the playground of a school on the Island of Raasay off the coast of Scotland
– In the same year a blade on a 190 ft wind turbine in Rotherham owned by Sheffield University broke in strong winds

– But amazingly, despite often being found grazing at the base; no sheep have ever been injured by a wind turbine

Speaking about the damaged turbines, Charles Anglin, director of communications at RenewableUK, stressed that last week’s incidents in Scotland were caused by “freak weather”.

Chris Streatfeild, RenewableUK’s director of health and safety, said: “No members of the public have ever been injured or harmed in the reports we have received.”

He added: “The risk to the public is one in 100 million. You are much more likely to be injured by a lightening strike than by a wind turbine.”

Interestingly, a HSE spokesman said wind turbines were classed as machines rather than buildings or structures and therefore there was no obligation to report mechanical failures.