Work programme

Since the formation of the SafetyOn, and under the direction of the Board of Directors, member companies through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) have met on a monthly basis to discuss experiences from accidents and incidents and to share lessons learned. Facilitated by the TAC Leader, the aim of these discussions has been to better understand the risks in the onshore wind industry, their root causes and possible mitigation actions to prevent further accidents and incidents.

Through the sharing and analysis of incident data provided by SafetyOn member companies, an evidence based understanding of the risks encountered during the development, construction and operational phases of a wind farm project is produced. This information will be used to identify key risks in the onshore wind industry and inform the SafetyOn work programme.

Active workstreams

Life Extension of Wind Turbines

The aim of this workstream is to share knowledge on non-competitive common issues affecting personnel and public safety from wind turbines and associated equipment, including knowledge known about turbine model specific failure modes and areas of concern.

Organisational factors

This workstream was formed from the Human Factors workstream. Moving forward organisational factors will be a standing workstream as a core part of SafetyOn work programme.

Safe by Design

The safe by design programme brings experts together for the purpose of getting the best practice in health and safety into design. Specific topics, which are identified as high risk by the SafetyOn incident data, input from members and wider industry consultation, are investigated with the objective of making improvements at the design stage that will help to reduce incidents throughout the lifecycle of an onshore wind farm.

Management of lifting

This workstream proposes the development of good practise for management of lifting operations in the onshore wind industry

Injury trends

Data from SafetyOn Tier 1 member companies has identified that hand injuries are the most frequent body part injured. Further analysis has been carried out into the root and contributing causes of hand injuries and it is proposed that findings will be communicated to industry in a brief guidance document accompanied with a video campaign.

Electrical Safety: Hierarchy of control and competence

This workstream addresses the risks associated with HV equipment

Tier 2 Participant Engagement

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.

Publications

Guidance for Management of Work in Confined Spaces for Onshore Wind Contractor engagement and behavioural safety in onshore civils Hand Injury Video Campaign SafetyOn 2021 incident data report SafetyOn Planned decommissioning framework for onshore wind turbines SafetyOn Traffic management for onshore wind farms SafetyOn Post-incident decommissioning of onshore wind turbines SafetyOn Human Factors ebook SafetyOn Research report: An investigation into the root causes of fires in MW scale wind turbines SafetyOn Onshore Emergency Response SafetyOn Safe by design workshop report SafetyOn 2020 incident data report

TAC Chair

Karl Sollis , Global Head of QSHE, Full Circle

Karl has over 20 years experience as health, safety & environment professional. Karl started his career in the Telecommunication Industry and moved into renewable energy sector in 2009. He studied safety, health & environmental management at Nottingham & Trent University and is a Chartered member of IOSH. Karl has worked with the Operational Safety Rules Group for a number of years and represents the SafetyON TAC at the Group.

TAC Vice Chair

Stewart Reid, Manager of HSEQ, Natural Power

Stewart Reid is an organised, committed, and motivated Chartered health and safety professional, with over 12 years of experience in several high hazard industries including onshore and offshore renewables, oil and gas and civil construction. This has given him a comprehensive knowledge of health and safety within multiple sectors. The high-pressured environment of offshore life was his career for many years giving him first-hand experience of how impactful health and safety can be in the workplace. Stewart has a keen desire to improve health and safety standards across the industry, and alongside his SafetyOn activities he is a Committee Member of IOSH and is also an IOSH mentor helping others to develop their careers in Health and Safety.