HEALTH & SAFETY
So what are the hazards associated withWind Energy? Table 1 presents a high level overview, whilst providing a useful comparison with Offshore Oil & Gas Facilities, against which Offshore Wind is often compared.
As can be seen from Table 1, the majority of hazards associated with Offshore Oil & Gas exist in Offshore Wind, with the obvious exception of hydrocarbon hazards. Whilst the ultimate consequences of an unwanted event on an Offshore Wind Farm will therefore be significantly reduced compared with a manned Offshore Oil & Gas Facility, in the worst case, they could result in multiple fatalities, not to mention considerable business impairment. This view is echoed by the HSE who have defined Offshore Wind as a “High” rather than “Major” Hazard Industry [Ref.1]. Onshore Wind presents fewer hazards, albeit their consequences could be greater depending on where they are sited. For example, the consequences of blade “throw” from an Onshore Turbine located close to an Oil & Gas Storage Facility will be significantly greater than from a Turbine located on desolate moorland. As such, the risks from all hazards must be assessed on a site by site basis.
The above hazards primarily relate to the ‘Operation’ phase of a Wind Farm. Whilst these are likely to present the greatest risk exposure, consideration must be given to the risks associated with its entire life-cycle [Development/Planning, Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Decommissioning].
The above hazards can be considered ‘direct’; i.e. they exist within the Wind Farm and can impact on the surrounding infrastructure/environment. Consideration must also be given to ‘indirect’ hazards; i.e. hazards that exist outside the Wind Farm which could impact on its safe operation resulting in different and/or more severe consequences. This is particularly important when considering Onshore Turbines in an industrial/urban setting. Clearly this can only be done on a site by site basis.
Now that we have an understanding of the basic terminology, future issues will explore how risk should be assessed and managed effectively throughout the entire life-cycle of a Wind Farm on a site by site basis.
Ref.1: HSE Paper to Offshore Wind Logistics Conference [London; 19/20 January 2011] titled; “A regulatory update from the HSE’s Emerging Energy Technologies Programme”
Gareth Ellor Risktec Solutions Ltd
www.risktec.co.uk
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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