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HEALTH & SAFETY


LESSONS LEARNED


The industry has been proactive in establishing a range of excellent and hugely valuable forums for open discussion, learning and sharing of experiences.


The Health and Safety focus has been led primarily by Renewable UK’s (formerly BWEA) Health and Safety Strategy Group together with several focused subgroups where all the major developers and key contractors are represented.


Both Renewable UK and The Crown Estate collate data on accidents and incidents offshore and maintain a very close review of the information to identify any trends so that these can be quickly fed back into the industry. In addition the industry operates a voluntary but important system of safety alerts that flag up specific issues.


A well planned lifecycle strategy that programmes the necessary scheduled intervention, alongside annual surveys during the more environmentally benign months will also substantially reduce risk to personnel and equipment that unplanned maintenance can represent.


THEWAY AHEAD


As the Round 3 zones take us further offshore with the installations in deeper water and often in a more exposed and remote environment it becomes increasingly important to understand the metocean conditions for the site and consider the historical information available.


before emergency services can assist. The need for a higher level of medical self sufficiency as well as on site emergency response must be considered and this in turn should be reviewed with the main emergency services so that the procedures are fully integrated.


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE


This is the phase in which ultra-reliability can have a huge impact. The operation and maintenance phase is all too often the poor cousin, however the most significant aspect of operation and maintenance is actually at the design and manufacture stage. Ultra-reliability of components and systems together with remote controls and resets will minimise the intervention required by personnel and consequently the risk.


Although there are a number of next generation installation vessels currently under construction, the actual installation methodology including the supply of components to site and coordination of the large number of vessels operating will be a major factor. The accuracy of site specific weather forecasting and managing weather windows becomes increasingly critical.


Our project strategy must be planned to ensure that we do not ‘stretch technology’, asking smaller vessels to work further offshore where they are constrained in their operating parameters and extending durations beyond that for which they are typically crewed.


The importance of the Emergency Response Plan is increasingly vital and we will need an increased level of self sufficiency as it may be several hours


32 Wind Energy NETWORK


We can also learn lessons from other offshore sectors, and contractors from these other sectors will inevitably engage with the offshore wind industry. However we must be careful not to just import a methodology or template from others and must develop our own strategies that are informed from others experiences but specifically focused and address the challenges unique to offshore wind.


IN CONCLUSION


The evidence is that, as an industry developers, contractors and operators are being very proactive and responsible in their approach and attitude to ensuring the right health and safety approach, however it is a live topic that is always evolving and can never be put on the shelf with a tick in the box.


The most significant, important and valuable element is the sharing of experiences, good practices, positive experiences as well as the challenges. This information is often sensitive and yet equally vital that the learning is shared.


The Crown Estate www.thecrownestate.co.uk


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