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Health & SafetyRenewableUK is committed to ensuring that Health & Safety (“H&S”) is top priority in the wind, wave & tidal industry and that best practice is applied to ensure the good reputation of renewable generation is maintained. This is delivered through our Health and Safety Strategy Group and specifically the agreed strategic objectives which are to:
These objectives are delivered through the Strategy Group and the support sub groups covering:
Members are invited to consider participation in these groups, subject to availability of places and the terms of reference of subgroups. Further details are available from Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at RenewableUK at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com. Recent News and InformationThe final draft of the Renewable Working at Height and Rescue - Wind Turbines Standard has been completed by the RenewableUK Health and Safety Training Sub Group and is available for consultation. All comments regarding this Standard should be sent to Rhys Jones or Chris Streatfeild (with contact details). Comments regarding the standard must be submitted by the end of the consultation period, the consultation period runs untill 1200 30/06/2010. View document .... RenewableUK - Public Safety Guidance RenewableUK are requesting expressions of interest from consultants and other potential providers to produce suitable industry guidance on public safety risks as they relate to onshore wind farms and in particular large wind turbines with a swept area >200m2 (typically turbines with maximum outputs of >50kW). However the project must ensure that the principles and approach are compatible small system applications. The primary scope of the work is to produce industry guidance to assist members and key stakeholders in addressing the significant public safety risks as they relate to the life cycle of wind farm operations. It would only address the most significant public safety risks that could arise. e.g. icing, explosion, fire, component failure, electrical hazards, thrown and falling objects and turbine collapse. Expressions of interest should be submitted to Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety (c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com) by no later than 5pm on 11th June 2010 new date). A more detailed briefing pack will then be made available setting out in more detail the scope of the proposed project Wind turbine switchgear safety RenewableUK have recently published a concise guide setting out the key issues in managing wind turbine switchgear safety. This guide was produced as a result of extensive consultation with members and key stakeholders. The guide sets out the:
Health & Safety Workshop -16th February 2010 Members and key industry stakeholders are invited to an open workshop to discuss Lifts in Wind Turbines and compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. A presentation will be given by Hammonds LLP who will provide an overview of their preliminary legal opinion on the key issues. This will be followed by an open workshop and discussion to share and debate the subject. It is anticipated that this meeting will allow BWEA in consultation with the Health and Safety Strategy Group to decide if further industry intervention or guidance is required and if so what form this should take. The event will commence at 10-00 and close at around 12-30. A light lunch reception will be provided. The venue is Hammonds LLP, 7 Devonshire Square London EC2M 4YH To reserve a FREE place please e-mail c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com. Lifts in Turbines- Machinery Directive 2006/42 - Draft Legal Opinion NEW - BWEA Health & Safety Strategy Group You are invited to nominate a representative to join the BWEA Health & Safety Strategy Group ("HSSG"). This is in accordance with the Terms of Reference for BWEA Working Groups that requires the group to be re-constituted every 2 years. Membership is open to all company members. In the event of there being an oversubscription to the group places will be allocated according to the rules set out in the Terms of Reference. This will take account of an individuals' health and safety expertise, evidence of relevant industry experience or involvement with a suitable sector or activity. The group will aim to have adequate representation from OEM's, developers, owners, operators, supply chain, technical/project support and professional services. To see a copy of the Terms of Reference for the Strategy Group (Subject to approval) click here.
The first meeting of the new group will be held in London on 4th February 2010 Draft National Policy Statements Health and Safety Draft National Policy statements have recently been published by DECC (https://www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk/). Although the health and safety implications do not appear to be controversial it is nonetheless important to clarify if there are any unintended or practical considerations that may have been missed or require clarification. BWEA are asking members to review the statements from a health and safety perspective for the following draft statements:
If you would like to respond then please send your response ideally by the 7 th December 2009 to Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at BWEA at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com . BWEA Health & Safety 2010 - Call For abstracts The closing date for abstracts for BWEA Health & Safety 2010 is the 30th November 2009. Under the general theme of "Lessons Learnt – Looking Forward", papers can cover all renewable energy technologies and consider any aspect of the life-cycle of that sector. We would particularly welcome papers that highlight lessons learnt, safety trends, case studies, "what’s new", best practice and benchmarking. Areas of particular current interest include design, CDM and post warranty issues. However all papers will be assessed on their merit and value to the whole industry. Full details on the conference and submitting an abstract are available at http://www.bwea.com/safety/conference2010.html. Please note: A workshop on Learning Lessons from H&S Incidents and Near Events will be held on 25 January 2010 in Manchester, the day before the main conference. Details to follow shortly. HSE/BIS Lifts Project BWEA have been approached by the HSE on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to undertake "market surveillance" work on their behalf, with particular focus on the requirements of the Machinery Directive and an examination of the standards of lifts installed within wind turbines. They are interested in the safeguards adopted by the installations and how they meet the essential health and safety requirements. HSE are seeking to identify sites which represent state of the art installations. The visits will not to consider when or in what circumstances lifts should be fitted within turbines. Nor do they intend to consider the wider aspects of work at height or the use of personal protective equipment issues associated with work on or in turbines. They are only interested in the matter of the lift installation. If you think you may be able to assist in this project please contact Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com. BWEA Health & Safety - BWEA Operational Safety Rules Group (OSRG) You are invited to nominate a representative from your company for consideration and selection to the join the BWEA Operational Safety Rules Group (OSRG). The OSRG is a newly formed sub group of the BWEA H&S Strategy Group which will continue to incorporate the activities of the existing Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR) Group from January 2010. In addition to the WTSR issues, the new group will incorporate HV operations. This change has meant that the WTSR group requires to be re-constituted with members who have a range of knowledge across both HV operations and WTSR’s. To express an interest in joining the group and to receive a copy of the Terms of Reference and the Selection Criteria for Membership, please contact BWEA by e-mail at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com. Note: All nominations to be received on or before 9th December SI 2009.01: 690V a.c. Wind Farm Circuit Breakers as Points of Isolation. Safety Information Guidelines for the Selection and Operation of Jack-ups in the Marine Renewable Energy Industry Safety Alert: Causeymire wind farm fatality Safety Stop Press: Causeymire wind farm fatality RWE npower renewables and Siemens are fully co-operating with the appropriate authorities during the investigations into this fatality. In the event of any concerns or wider industry safety issues being identified as a result of the investigation BWEA will issue an appropriate statement and if necessary release a Safety Alert. For further information please contact Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com. HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC……ACT 1974 (APPLICATION OUTSIDE GREAT BRITAIN) (VARIATION) ORDER 2009 BWEA have arranged a workshop hosted by Hammonds LLP on 3 November 2009 in London to discuss the Order and consider some of the wider health and safety implications relevant to the industry. For further details click here. BWEA Health & Safety 2010 NEW - Guidelines for the Selection and Operation of Jack-ups in the Marine Renewable Energy Industry The Electrical Safety, Quality, and Continuity Regulations 2002 Safe Wind Turbine Tower Access: A Decision Making Framework: Update Standards for Access Lifts in Wind Turbines: HSE Positioning Letter If you have any questions or views on this matter then please get in touch with Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at BWEA (c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com). BWEA will be approaching the HSE on behalf of members to consider any formal response in the near future. Personal Fall Protection Equipment – Guided Type Fall Arresters: UK Formal Objection to EN 353-1: 2002The UK has recently made a Formal Objection to the European Standard EN 353-1: 2002. At the PPE Expert Working Group a majority decision of member states was reached that the standard did not meet the relevant basic health and safety requirements of the PPE Directive and as such its reference in the official journal should be removed (thus removing the presumption of conformity). Although this Working Group has reached a majority decision, the final decision on the UK formal objection lies with the 98/34/EC Committee. It is expected to meet during the summer. BWEA will also be making representation to the HSE and Department for Business Innovation and Skills (Formerly BERR). BWEA will notify members of the outcome of any decisions taken. BWEA has received a copy of the HSE submission to committee 98/34 on this matter. Click here to download (PDF Format). This position does not materially change the advice issued by the HSE which BWEA notified members of on 22 December 2008. (Details at http://www.bwea.com/membersarea/alerts.asp). Guidelines for Health and Safety in the Marine Energy Industry – NEW publication October 2008
Guidelines for Health & Safety in the Wind Energy Industry – October 2008 revision
If you have any thoughts on further content of this web site area please send your ideas to Chris Streatfeild, BWEA Director of Health and Safety.
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