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7th annual H&S event to take place in Edinburgh Jan 2011

Health & Safety

RenewableUK 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:

Provide strategic leadership to the UK wind, wave & tidal industry in the support of best practice H&S issues;
Promote the successful role of H&S in delivering a safe and sustainable future for the UK industry;
Engage and support industry leaders in promoting and championing H&S throughout their organisations and the industry supply chain;
Bring together relevant skills and expertise to discuss, prioritise and initiate work needed to update RenewableUK H&S guidance for the industry;
Develop and implement measures that will enable the industry to share and benefit from individual members H&S experiences;
Produce and promote common standards , guidance and training to assist in minimising the risks of incidents throughout the life phases of wind, wave & tidal projects;
Review H&S experience from other allied sectors in order to introduce appropriate practices to the industry;
Review current and forthcoming H&S legislation standards and ensure that RenewableUK guidance reflects such statutory requirements;
Engage and cooperate with key H&S stakeholders and like minded organisations; and
Promote communication to the RenewableUK Board, the wider industry membership and external agencies on H&S issues.

These objectives are delivered through the Strategy Group and the support sub groups covering:

Lessons Learn Database;
Wind Turbine Safety Rules;
Training;
Public Safety;
Occupational Health; and
Communications and Events

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.

Health & Safety Briefing

How to manage your legal responsibilities
Best practice experiences for Renewable Energy Projects
17th September 2010
PinsentMasons, Manchester

It is becoming self evident that with the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector over the coming years that health and safety will become even more high profile. Whilst the current focus is perhaps more delivery focused, the commercial, technical, engineering and operational challenges will only be addressed effectively if health and safety is explicitly embedded across the life cycle of each development.

The primary focus in managing health and safety will always be the prevention and management of identified health and safety risks of a project. However experience from other sectors has shown that this must also take full account of the legal and governance responsibilities applicable.

This briefing aims to highlight the most significant health and safety issues relevant to the industry across the life cycle of a project and present best practice experiences of how duty holders can balance the need to achieving the highest health and safety standards whilst protecting the relevant legal interests concerned.

The agenda for this session is:

Key contract & CDM issues for design, construction & operations
Lynne Scott, Partner, Shepherd & Wedderburn
New risks in health and safety and the importance of setting the right "tone at the top"
Simon Joyston-Bechal, Partner, PinsentMasons
Practical tips for dealing with health & safety incidents & understanding the relationships between regulatory agencies
Sarah Taylor, Legal Director, PinsentMasons
Health & Safety – Taking account of health and safety in devolved powers (Scotland)
Laura Cameron, Partner, McGrigors LLP

The event will commence at 09-30 and close at around 13-00. A light lunch reception will be provided.

The venue is PinsentMasons, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3HF

To reserve a FREE place please e-mail Paula Sargeant p.sargeant@renewable-uk.com.

Places are limited to a maximum of 2 per organization and will be offered on a first come first served basis. Joining instructions will be provided if you are offered a place

RenewableUK Working at Height and Rescue - Wind Turbines Standard

The final version of the RenewableUK Working at Height and Rescue - Wind Turbines Standard has been completed by the RenewableUK Health and Safety Training Sub Group and is available for all interested parties. Any questions regarding this Standard should be addressed to Rhys Jones or Chris Streatfeild (with contact details). View document ....

RenewableUK Approval and Accreditation System Update

The RenewableUK Approval and Accreditation system for training providers will include but not be limited to the following elements;

Initial Approval and Accreditation consisting of a desk top audit and a facility and delivery audit.
Annual Audit and verification.

Application process for candidate organisations.

To commence September 2010 (exact date yet to be confirmed)
To be open to all candidate organisations
Will require the payment of a non refundable deposit in order to start approval and accreditation process
Candidate organisations will be able to access the terms and conditions of the RenewableUK Approval and Accreditation system prior to application, and will also have them provide to them as part of the initial approval and accreditation desk top audit pack that will be available online at the RenewableUK website.
Candidate organisations are advised to reference the specific RenewableUK Training Standard to be applied for prior to application. These will be available online at the RenewableUK website.
RenewableUK Approval and Accreditation system application forms & desk top audit packs will be available online at the RenewableUK website.
Advice and guidance on the system will be available from RenewableUK and contact details for such advice and guidance will be provided with the application forms.

Desk Top Audit

On receipt of a completed application form, desk top audit pack and non refundable deposit RenewableUK will undertake the following actions;

A primary auditor will be assigned to the training provider
A primary verifier will be assigned to the training provider
Guidance will be available to the candidate organisation with regards to the requirements of the desk top audit through the assigned primary auditor and other RenewableUK approved agents
On receipt of a completed desk top audit pack by the primary auditor the timescale designated for review and report by the RenewableUK Audit team will commence
A report detailing the primary auditor findings and conclusions will passed to both the candidate organisation and the primary verifier
Further required actions will discussed and agreed if required
On approval of the desk top submission by the primary auditor and the primary verifier a date will be arranged for the Facility & Delivery Audit

document

Facility & Delivery Audit

RenewableUK will assign an appropriate audit team to be led by the primary auditor to carry out the facility and delivery audit of the candidate organisation.
The primary auditor will give a pre audit brief to the candidate organisation setting out the scope of the audit
The audit team will carry out the audit within the scope of the RenewableUK approval and accreditation system and the specific RenewableUK standard applied for by the training provider
The audit team will review and verify its findings
A post Audit briefing will be held with the candidate organisation to out line the findings
The audit team will decide as to the result of the audit; recommend RenewableUK approval & accreditation, or not yet approved
Where the audit team recommends the result of the audit will be not yet approved. Further required actions will discussed and agreed if required, a full report will be produced and provided to the candidate organization and the primary verifier, and a follow up meeting with the primary auditor will be scheduled
Where the audit team recommends the result of the audit will be a recommendation for RenewableUK approval and accreditation; a full report will be produced and provided to the candidate organisation and the primary verifier, the recommendation will be presented and confirmed by RenewableUK, and a RenewableUK certificate of approval and accreditation will be provided.
Full RenewableUK approval will granted only on the completion of this process and full payment of all approval and accreditation fees

RenewableUK Approval & Accreditation Appeals Procedure

In the first instance the candidate organisation may request a review of the primary auditor and the audit team conclusions from the assigned primary verifier
In the event that a candidate organisation disputes the findings of the primary verifier an appeal maybe made to a panel whose findings in the matter shall be deemed final.
There will be a set time frame on the receipt of appeals
There will be a set time frame of the process for appeals

Candidate organisations outside of the UK

RenewableUK has not at the present moment recognised or approved any training provider outside of the UK. Due to the nature of the standards content and requirements, with particular reference to jurisdictional differences, all applications from training providers based out side of the UK will be considered on a case by case basis
A specific audit team will assigned for any non UK based training provider and the primary auditor will be required to ensure that an appropriate agent or agents are engaged in order to provide any and all specialist services or consultations required
Due to these factors fees for an application for approval and accreditation for training provider based outside the UK or conducting training outside the UK will be costed on a case by case basis.

RenewableUK Health & Safety Training & Approvals Update & FAQ's

RenewableUK has made a commitment to ensuring that Health & Safety ("H&S") is given top priority in the wind energy and marine renewables sector. Promoting and delivering best practice health and safety training and competence standards is central to this commitment.

This document provides an update on the revisions to the existing RenewableUK training standards, the implementation of a new accreditation & approvals scheme and the development of a new basic health and safety qualification. It also sets out a list of FAQ's aimed at employers, workers and training providers. 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:

critical safety issues with particular consideration of the specification of switchgear and competence issues;
legislation, standards and policies relevant to switchgear;
measures to consider in the management of existing switchgear;
measures to take into account when determining the suitability of new switchgear; and additional advice representing good practice based on operational experiences in the UK.

Read the report here

Health & Safety Workshop -16th February 2010
- Lifts in Wind Turbines & the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC

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.
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Places are limited to a maximum of 2 per organization and will be offered on a first come first served basis. Joining instructions will be provided if you are offered a place.

Lifts in Turbines- Machinery Directive 2006/42 - Draft Legal Opinion

BWEA have taken legal opinion on the state of play regarding lifts supplied and installed in wind turbines in response to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC which came into force on the 29 December 2009. This is currently in a draft format as we are asking for comments from members. If you would like to receive a copy of the draft paper please contact Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at BWEA c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com.

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.

To express an interest in joining the group please forward the following information by e-mail to c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com:

A basic CV of the nominated individual
Which member category you are (See attached)

Note: All nominations must be received on or before 15th January 2010.

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:

Draft Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) – See Paragraphs 4.11-4.13.
Draft National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) – See references to onshore and offshore projects
Draft National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5) – See references to Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 and Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)

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
690V a.c. fixed-pattern circuit breakers are installed on many UK wind farms at the intake to the wind turbine tower. Many of these circuit breakers have been assigned an additional duty as an electrical point of isolation in the fully open position. RWE npower renewables have released a Safety Information Notice on these breakers which details the independent assessments they are pursuing which will focus on the durability of the actuating mechanism, locking and position indication of the circuit breaker design and possible failure mechanisms.
To receive a copy of the Safety Information Notice please contact Chris Streatfeild at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com

Guidelines for the Selection and Operation of Jack-ups in the Marine Renewable Energy Industry
New guidance aimed at jack-up operators, contractors and developers.
Click here for details

Safety Alert: Causeymire wind farm fatality
BWEA have issued a Safety Alert as a result of the fatality at Causeymire Wind Farm which occurred on 16 September 2009. At this stage detailed information about the immediate or underlying cause(s) of the accident are not known by BWEA as the investigation continues. Its application and intent is therefore broad and general. To view the Alert click here

Safety Stop Press: Causeymire wind farm fatality
BWEA have been informed of a fatality at Causeymire Wind Farm. The incident occurred on Wednesday 16 September 2009. The operational wind farm is owned by RWE npower renewables and is located near Thurso, Scotland. The wind farm comprises 21 x 2.3 MW Bonus Turbines (now Siemens).

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
A briefing on the above order has been produced on behalf of BWEA by Hammonds LLP. To download a copy click here.

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
BWEA's sixth annual conference dedicated to Health & Safety in the UK wind, wave and tidal energy sector will be held on Tuesday 26th January 2010, at the Hilton Hotel Deansgate, in Manchester city centre. The call for abstracts is open with a submission deadline of 30th November 2009. View further details.

NEW - Guidelines for the Selection and Operation of Jack-ups in the Marine Renewable Energy Industry
We are pleased to announce the imminent publication of new industry guidelines on the selection and operation of Jack-ups in the marine renewable energy industry. BWEA are currently formatting the document prior to posting on this website. However, if you would like to see a copy of the agreed pre-publication draft then please contact Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at BWEA at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com

The Electrical Safety, Quality, and Continuity Regulations 2002
The HSE is in the process of moving to an electronic report system to record notifications submitted under these regulations. Until this has been completed duty holders are reminded that they are required to report specified incidents via the HSE's internet based application EID ("Electricity Incident Database") as and when the need arises. In order to do this the duty holder will need to get access to EID. This can only be done by making a formal request to the designated HSE contact.
Details are: grace.alade@hse.gsi.gov.uk or T: 020 7556 2236.

Safe Wind Turbine Tower Access: A Decision Making Framework: Update
During 2007 BWEA commissioned TUV NEL and Risktec to conduct a study of how the Work at Height Regulations 2005 would relate to tower access in wind turbines. Their report outlining a risk-based decision framework for selecting appropriate access systems for wind turbine towers and nacelles was published in December 2007. Although it was widely circulated to members and stakeholders it was never issued by BWEA due to some technical points requiring further clarification. To rectify this position we are formally releasing this report along a statement clarifying our comments on the report. To request a copy please contact Chris Streatfeild, Director of Health and Safety at BWEA at c.streatfeild@renewable-uk.com

Standards for Access Lifts in Wind Turbines: HSE Positioning Letter
BWEA have received a letter from the HSE setting out their general position on Access Lifts in Turbines. Click here to download (PDF Format). It was discussed at the recent Health and Safety Strategy Group Meeting held on 10 June 2009. BWEA welcome the general principles set out by the HSE however there remain both technical and legal points of ambiguity where further clarification is likely to be required.

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: 2002
The 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
BWEA is pleased to present its guidelines for wave and tidal energy devices. This guide directs all those involved in developing wave and tidal energy devices and projects towards the current H&S legislation and industry best practice. These guidelines were produced with the support of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and their project for a suite of wave and tidal guidelines funded by the Scottish Government and Department for Energy and Climate Change. We would like to thank Searoc as the main authors and also ORECon for all their efforts in producing these guidelines. Click here to download (PDF format)

Guidelines for Health & Safety in the Wind Energy Industry – October 2008 revision
The text of the April 2005 Guidelines has been updated to reflect changes in legislation, progress with BWEA initiatives and experience gained over the last three years as the wind energy sector continues to grow. The Guidelines were formally launched at BWEA 30. Readers are invited to forward any revisions to the document to safety@renewable-uk.com

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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Health & Safety Briefing