SafetyOn 2021 work programme

This workstream was formed to design a visual identity for SafetyOn, to promote the brand and to develop an engagement platform with relevant stakeholders. It is key to introduce SafetyOn in order to avoid any confusion regarding its role and responsibilities in relation to existing organisations in the wind energy sector (including RUK, GWO, G+ etc.).

We have developed a communications strategy which forms the fundamental communication objectives of the group. This includes elements such as regular activity updates, announcement of and information on events, (for example the annual stakeholder day and workshops), the development of communication material, and the set-up of an internal communication platform for members. We are also working on an engagement plan with key stakeholders. All public information is made available via the SafetyOn website and updates are communicated via LinkedIn and Twitter.

SafetyOn are developing good practise guidance for working in confined spaces in onshore WTG, including adequate advance planning, and procedures to be in place to comply with the Confined Space Regulations requirements.

This workstream focuses on planned decommissioning and emergency decommissioning. Guidance covering all aspects of decommissioning at site will be produced.

Following the publication of the SafetyOn Research report: “An investigation into the root causes of fires in MW scale wind turbines” which focuses on the root cause of fires” SafetyOn held a workshop with the Health and Safety Executive and recognised that there are still concerns with HV electrical systems and also that there is significant work being undertaken by SafetyOn and its members on these topics. SafetyOn are developing a workstream which addresses the risks associated with: 1. Positioning of HV equipment 2. Controlling access to HV equipment 3. Competence level of personnel who have access to HV equipment 4. Non-electrical work near HV equipment

SafetyOn consider human and organisational factors can impact on occupational and process safety performance in the onshore wind industry. Under this workstream SafetyOn will examine the effects of emotional well being, fatigue, and an increase in ageing workforce.

SafetyOn are collaborating with colleagues from the offshore wind industry through the G+ Global offshore wind health and safety organisation, to address the risks associated with onshore civil construction works. This is an issue that effects both onshore and offshore and has been highlighted as a risk in the G+ 2019 incident data report.

This workstream is to engage with SafetyOn Tier 2 members, allowing integration, with their knowledge and expereince, in the SafetyOn work programme. This workstream will allow Tier 2 members a voice in SafetyOn operations and guarantee best possible benefits of their membership.

SafetyOn identified several incidents involving the overturning of vehicles, falls from vehicles, unstable loads, vehicle movements. A workstream has been developed to examine traffic management for onshore windfarm sites and develop a good practice guidance to assist the industry design, planning, implementation and maintenance of traffic management systems for the full life cycle of a wind farm.

SafetyOn instigated a specific workstream regarding the onshore wind industry’s compliance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulation 1998 (LOLER) specifically with regards to personnel working under suspended loads. The workstream was supported by a cross section of onshore wind companies including operators, developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to discuss and share knowledge on this topic.

A full day SafetyOn workshop, focusing specifically on tower to tower assembly, was convened by SafetyOn and attended by the OEM members in April 2019 during which there was an open and frank exchange of approaches, methods and tooling from each OEM participant in an attempt to share learning and expertise.  This first workshop illustrated the different compliance strategies being utilised by each of the participant OEMs and outcomes have allowed the participant OEMs to clarify understanding and develop compliance focused solutions.

SafetyOn held a similar workshop on working under suspended loads during major component exchanges. The workshop, using a pre-prepared bow tie risk analysis, and comprising several data gathering and data analysis activities, was held in Glasgow on 20 November 2019. The workshop format was developed to explore, challenge and improve the controls in place to prevent a dropped load during major component exchanges. It also covered the recovery mitigations in the event of a dropped load.

The outputs from the workshop are presented in the SafetyOn Safe by design workshop report: Working under suspended loads- major component exchange

HSE letter to SafetyOn regarding their efforts on eliminating work under suspended loads