2009 face conference energy le moine
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GARY LeMOINE, ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SAFETY – USA & Canada
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
FACE Conference 2009 OHSU, Portland, OR
Wind Energy Growing Quickly
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Minimal Impacts to Landowner
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US Wind Market Growth Potential:20% Wind Scenario by 2030
AWEA 2007 report
20% Wind Job Benefits
From AWEA report for 2007
• Maintaining the Health & Safety of all persons during this growth -In 2007: 5,244 MW added, Cumulative over 16,800 MW
• Supporting responsible, consistent, regulatory compliant industry that encourages a proactive safety culture amongst wind companies
• Working cooperatively with regulators like OSHA and stakeholders on safety and regulatory issues that integrates engineering safety solutions with advancing technology
• Laying the Groundwork for the Health & Safety offuture US workforce – 150,000 employees
US Wind Safety Challenges: Significant
Wind Plant Siting Issues
• No national wind siting regulations yet• State, County, Federal property
siting requirements vary WA has State Siting guidelines as exampleTurbine Setbacks vary from roads/homesCommunity Noise stds, Flicker shadow
• FAA - Radar, DOD concerns• Potential Endangered Species, Migratory Bird, Eagle Acts:
(Birds, Bats, other species)Requirements for pre-post construction avian studies Risk varies region to region, solutions vary
Challenges in Wind Construction
• New contractors entering arena
• Less Experience with dilution amongst contractors
• New turbine suppliers, designs, new technology
• Challenging Logistics and site conditions in many cases
• Aggressive industry growth and challenging construction schedules
Solution: Construction Bid Cycle must include Safety
ContractorPre-Qualification:
• Experience• Safety
•Contractor•Prepares Bid
including Safety
Project Mgmt:•Engineering•Commercial
Project Mgmt:• Rev/Select Bid
• NegotiateContract & Safety requirements
BeginConstruction-
Project Kickoff includes safety
Construction
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Construction: civil & tower assembly projects
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•Projects on leased land, farms•Construct Gravel access roads •Excavate, Reinforced concrete foundations constructed•Tower components delivered, assembled, commissioned•Substation, collection system
EHS Issues•Traffic, heavy equipment safety•Crane critical lifting plans•Fall hazards•Tool use, ergonomic concerns•Crop damage, range fire safety •Weather, ESA Impacts
Driving Safety
Operations & Maintenance
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Wind Ops Example ProgramsMeet or Exceed Regulations
• MANAGEMENT/ EMPLOYEE RESP• SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEES• EDUCATION AND TRAINING
• Qualifications and Proficiency• Regulatory required training
• RISK MANAGEMENT• Manufacturer's O&M Procedures• Job Safety Analysis
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY• LOCKOUT/TAGOUT• FIRE PROTECTION
• Hot Work Procedures• Fire Extinguishers• Site Fire Safety
• FALL PROTECTION• Climbing for 3rd parties
• Rescue from Heights• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
• First Aid/CPR/AED/BBP
•OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH• Hazard Communication • Ergonomics / Lifting • Fitness for Duty• Hearing Conservation
•CONFINED SPACE•VEHICLE SAFETY•PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIP•CHEMICAL SPILLS
• Clean up and Disposal• Reporting
•MATERIAL HANDLING•THIRD PARTY SAFETY ISSUES
• Visitors and Site Orientation•CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS•PUBLIC SAFETY •SITE SECURITY•HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS•CONFINED SPACE•AVIAN/ ENDANGERED SPECIES
Do You have Appropriate Employee EHS Training & Qualification Programs?
Are Employees Qualified for Work they do?• Fall Protection & Rescue• Technical Training on Equipment, O&M
or Commissioning Procedures • Electrical Hazard ID & Controls
(1910.269)• LOTO• First Aid/ CPR• Hot /cold weather Documented training records are Important
LOCK OUT / TAG OUTWind Turbine Hazardous Energy
Mechanical: Wind, Wind, Wind
Rotor Lock, Drives, Gears
Hydraulic
Etc
Electrical:
Generators
Converter Cabinets
Transformers
Wind Turbine Collapse from Overspeed
Enclosed / Confined Spaces – Evaluate Turbines for Regulatory Compliance
Possible Hazard Assessment areas• Hub Entry - Control Hazardous Energy prior
to entry: (Wind), Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic
• Atmospheric Evaluations- Blade Entry past hatch, some hubs, extensive Hot Work & Chemical use with limited ventilation
• Hot Work – Fire & smoke issues, escape
Ergonomics, Fitness for Duty
• Tower Jobs Physically Demanding, 1-3 climbs/day 60-80 meter towers
• Many of today’s installed turbines difficult to work on
• Heavy Components, tools• Lifts into truck: 25 - 40+ # tool bags,
tower rescue bag• From Truck to base of tower: Oil pump
25-30#• Torque wrench/pump: 71#• Lifts in nacelle
• Many work positions cramped or awkward postures
How Fit is your Workforce?
Consider Developing a “Fit for Duty”Program
• FFD program requires work analysis by medical professional to establish physical demands for job which are then evaluated by appropriate exam, ex: firefighter
• Wind Operations Jobs are Physically Demanding. Reduces chance of injuries by being proactive in matching demands with physical capacities
• Allows Employees to enjoy greater health throughout working years and into retirement
• Supports Proactive Safety & Health Culture– Gives Employees Wake-up call and coaching on their health
More Reasons For “Fit for Duty” Program• Good Job Descriptions & Physical Capacity Requirements assist Dr in Return to Work• ***Helps Support the Ergonomics Program• Lack of Fitness is a Significant Contributing Factor to Injuries in many Companies• Support for Ongoing Fitness
Wind FIRST AID & AEDs
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First Aid Hazard Assessment- Wind examples•Back/upper limbs sprains and strains – lifting related •Eye injuries – chemicals, particles from tool use•Heat Exhaustion, hypothermia, frostbite - weather related•Chemical burns: battery acid or strong cleaners •Cuts/Abrasions: Sharp edges, tool injuries, Equip handling
First Aid Plan, Important features•Speed of response & availability of FA Supplies in Towers•Because of crew makeup and typical remoteness, all field staff should be trained in First Aid/CPR/BBP •Number of companies have AEDs on site
Public SafetyAccess to Wind Plants,
High Curiosity Factor create Risk for:
Public Safety Vandalism
Landowners /permit / access requirements may increase public safety issues
Reduced Signage - Keep Out, Safety WarningsReduced or Limited Fencing
Recreational area plants increase public access: snowmobiling, 4 wheelers, motorcycles
• AWEA Wind Power Health & Safety Workshop, September 16 - 17, 2009, Snowbird, UT expecting 400 attendees by leading industry topics, experts
• AWEA Health & Safety Committee provides networking, subcommittees actively looking at topics in constructions, operations, designs and standards, vendor issues
• About 100 Committee members from AWEA member companies: owners, manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, contractors, other vendors involved
• Michele Myers is the AWEA Health & Safety Manager• Europeans are engaging in similar activities as AWEA, similar topics
Want More – AWEA Safety Committee
Questions??????????
Thank You
Contact Information:Gary LeMoine, MSPH, JD, CIH, CSPDirector - Environment Health Safety Security, USA & CANADAIBERDROLA RENEWABLES1125 NW Couch, Suite 700, Portland, OR 97209(503) [email protected]
Everyone Goes Home Safe &We Don’t Harm the Environment