SPONSORS OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT FEATURE
CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN THE WIND INDUSTRY
RISK MANAGEMENT INVOLVES IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING HAZARDS (THREATS) AND IDENTIFYING THE BEST WAYS TO AVOID THEM, OR TO MITIGATE THE CONSEQUENCES. CRISIS MANAGEMENT IS A BROADER ISSUE AND INVOLVES DEALING WITH THREATS BEFORE THEY HAVE OCCURRED, AS WELL AS DURING AND AFTER. THE AIM IS TO IDENTIFY, ASSESS, UNDERSTAND AND HANDLE A SERIOUS SITUATION.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN (ERP) Part of crisis management is having an Emergency Response Plan (ERP), through which consideration is given to the remoteness of any site location, the response times and the equipment and training provided, in order to promote self- sufficiency and preservation of life until the emergency services arrive.
NECESSARY TRAINING Guidance on health and safety in the wind energy sector is given by RenewableUK
1 The
benchmark for work at height training and rescue is contained in an approved training standard
2 The latter has been developed in consultation with key industry representatives with the aim of ensuring that all personnel are able to demonstrate a common level of basic competency
3 The two-day course includes both basic and specific rescue principles and techniques, including techniques for the recovery of a casualty from a vertical ladder, nacelle and hub. It includes casualty handling techniques and the selection, inspection and use of equipment. Any work at height training should be conducted in accordance with BS 8454 [4].
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 89
ERP PRACTICE AND REVIEW An ERP must be practiced and reviewed periodically and any risk assessment must take account of the prevailing weather conditions, the nature of any work being undertaken, the handling of loads, radio- frequency isolation, electrical issues, communications, safe access and egress, tools and equipment and the level of competence of workers.
ASSESSMENTS heightec® has undertaken a number of exercises with wind turbine clients, and in collaboration with the emergency services, to test the arrangements in place for the deployment of rescue equipment. All have led to recommendations for the improvement of rescue planning and, in some instances, the installation of new equipment.
The exercises have also identified ‘skills gaps’, requiring an assessment of further specialist training. Offshore rescues are challenging, particularly those involving rescue from hub to nacelle, nacelle to transition piece, transition piece to vessel, vessel to vessel and, finally, vessel to shore. Depending upon location this can take anything up to two hours.
There is much to be gained from multi- agency exercises. The main benefit is an improved chance of a casualty being recovered safely, in time to administer medical help and without putting further people at risk.
The heightec Group Ltd.
www.heightec.com
Co-acknowledgements 1 Guidelines for onshore and offshore wind farms, Health & Safety in the Wind Energy Industry Sector (RUK, 2010)
2 RenewableUK - Working at Height and Rescue Training Standard, Issue 1:2010
3 This standard applies to large wind turbines, i.e. those with a swept area of >200m2 and where the primary means of access to the nacelle is internal to the tower
4 BS 8454:2006, Code of practice for the delivery of training and educationfor work at height and rescue
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