The demand for renewable energy has grown exponentially in the last decade. One of the biggest sources is wind power. In 2022, wind turbines made up more than 10% of the nation’s utility-scale electricity generation. That number is estimated to double by 2030, and more than triple by 2050. As its prevalence rises, the likelihood of workers encountering hazards in this sector increases.

The appeals of wind power are obvious: sustainability and no greenhouse gas emissions. Although these advantages are significant, there are still deadly hazards. By following some basic safety precautions, accidents can be prevented.

Workers responsible for installing or maintaining wind turbines should familiarize themselves with all equipment components, including the tower, nacelle, rotor blades, generator and electrical control systems. Employers should also provide adequate training on wind turbine hazards, safety and operation. This will provide workers with knowledge and awareness to perform their job safely.

Necessary PPE

Employers must ensure the appropriate personal protective equipment is provided and used properly. When working on wind turbines, workers should always wear safety helmets, protective eyewear, gloves and high-visibility clothing.

Hearing protection is also needed when working near the rotating blades and turbines. The sound of the moving parts can be loud enough to cause hearing damage. One study showed wind turbine maintenance workers were exposed to sound levels of 76–101 decibels (dB) with an 8-hour average of 83 dB plus or minus 9 dB. Adding 9 dB puts the level above OSHA’s action level of 85 dB and the 90 dB permissible exposure limit.

Although turbines can be quite noisy at proximity, the Department of Energy indicates, “At 300 meters away, which is the nearest distance a wind turbine typically is to a building, the sounds produced by a large wind energy project range from 35–45 decibels when adjusted to correspond to the hearing threshold of the human ear (also known as A-weighted decibels or dBA). This is far below the sound level that puts humans at risk for hearing impairment.” 

Advancements in technology have lowered noise overall even further. Noise level measurements should be taken to determine if and what level of protection workers may need.

Fall-protection measures

According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of all job-related deaths. More than 10% of occupational fall-related fatalities occur at elevation each year. Therefore, fall- protection measures are required to be in place whenever work is done from heights or elevated positions. 

This means using harnesses, lifelines and guardrails when working on towers or in the nacelle. Employers should also ensure that all workers will be trained in fall-protection measures to help minimize the risk of injuries and incidents.

When working with hazardous energy of any kind, it is important to follow and abide by all relevant lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. This is especially true for electricians and electrical workers. 

Adherence to LOTO protocols outlined in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is a must. The standard walks through de-energizing the system, locking it in the off position and tagging it to prevent accidental re-energization. 

Grounding and lifting

It is imperative to ensure equipment is properly grounded and the appropriate insulated tools are used when conducting work or maintenance to prevent electrical shocks.

Fire prevention and suppression are also key elements to safety for wind energy maintenance. It is critical that workers know how to use turbines’ installed fire-­suppression systems. Employers should provide adequate training on what they are, and when and how to use them properly. Maintaining clear access to firefighting equipment and regularly inspecting electrical systems for potential fire hazards can also be extremely helpful in minimizing the risk of injury or death.

Wind turbine components can be extremely heavy. As a result, workers need to exercise extreme caution and use proper lifting techniques when installing components or conducting maintenance. When materials cannot be manually handled safely, workers should enlist the help of a colleague or mechanical aid to prevent strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Emergency plan

Employers should have an emergency-management plan in place so workers know what to do and how to respond in the event an incident occurs. Electrical workers should receive training on emergency response procedures and evacuation plans specific to wind turbine sites. Regular drills and simulations can be helpful and effective for optimal responsiveness when a real-life accident occurs. By executing safe work habits, the likelihood of an incident while working near wind energy systems are much lower.

stock.adobe.com / Oleksii Sidorov