The wind energy industry is growing rapidly in the United States and presents both opportunities and safety challenges. Maintaining health and safety is important as the workforce is expected to grow to 150,000 employees by 2030. Key safety issues include ensuring proper safety training and qualifications for contractors, establishing fall protection and lockout/tagout programs, addressing ergonomic hazards, and providing first aid and emergency response plans. Public safety must also be considered as wind plants attract curiosity from the public. Through collaborative efforts, the industry aims to ensure everyone goes home safely while minimizing impacts to the environment.

1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY IN RENEWABLE
ENERGY
FACE Conference 2009 OHSU, Portland, OR
GARY LeMOINE, ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SAFETY – USA & Canada

2. Wind Energy Growing Quickly
CPETITIVE

3. Minimal Impacts to Landowner
CPETITIVE

4. US Wind Market Growth Potential:
20% Wind Scenario by 2030
AWEA 2007 report

5. 20% Wind Job Benefits
From AWEA report for 2007

6. US Wind Safety Challenges: Significant
• 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 of
future US workforce – 150,000 employees

7. Wind Plant Siting Issues
• No national wind siting regulations yet
• State, County, Federal property
siting requirements vary
WA has State Siting guidelines as example
Turbine Setbacks vary from roads/homes
Community 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

8. 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

9. Solution: Construction Bid
Cycle must include Safety
Contractor
Project Mgmt:
Pre-Qualification:
•Engineering
• Experience
•Commercial
• Safety
Begin
Construction- •Contractor
Project Kickoff •Prepares Bid
includes safety including Safety
Project Mgmt:
• Rev/Select Bid
• Negotiate
Contract & Safety requirements

10. Construction
CPETITIVE

11. Construction: civil & tower assembly
projects
•Projects on leased land, farms
•Construct Gravel access roads
•Excavate, Reinforced concrete
foundations constructed
•Tower components delivered,
CPETITIVE
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

12. Driving Safety

13. Operations & Maintenance
CPETITIVE

14. Wind Ops Example Programs
Meet or Exceed Regulations
• MANAGEMENT/ EMPLOYEE RESP •OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
• SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEES • Hazard Communication
• EDUCATION AND TRAINING • Ergonomics / Lifting
• Qualifications and Proficiency • Fitness for Duty
• Regulatory required training • Hearing Conservation
• RISK MANAGEMENT •CONFINED SPACE
• Manufacturer's O&M Procedures •VEHICLE SAFETY
• Job Safety Analysis •PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIP
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY •CHEMICAL SPILLS
• LOCKOUT/TAGOUT • Clean up and Disposal
• FIRE PROTECTION • Reporting
• Hot Work Procedures •MATERIAL HANDLING
• Fire Extinguishers •THIRD PARTY SAFETY ISSUES
• Site Fire Safety • Visitors and Site Orientation
• FALL PROTECTION •CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
• Climbing for 3rd parties •PUBLIC SAFETY
• Rescue from Heights •SITE SECURITY
• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS •HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS
• First Aid/CPR/AED/BBP •CONFINED SPACE
•AVIAN/ ENDANGERED SPECIES

15. 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

16. LOCK OUT / TAG OUT
Wind Turbine Hazardous Energy
Mechanical: Wind, Wind, Wind
Rotor Lock, Drives, Gears
Electrical:
Generators
Converter Cabinets
Transformers
Hydraulic
Etc

17. Wind Turbine Collapse from Overspeed

18. 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

19. Ergonomics, Fitness for Duty
How Fit is your Workforce?
• 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

20. 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

21. Wind FIRST AID & AEDs
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
CPETITIVE
•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

22. Public Safety
Access 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 Warnings
Reduced or Limited Fencing
Recreational area plants increase public access:
snowmobiling, 4 wheelers, motorcycles

23. Want More – AWEA Safety Committee
• 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

24. Everyone Goes Home Safe &
We Don’t Harm the Environment
Questions??????????
Thank You
Contact Information:
Gary LeMoine, MSPH, JD, CIH, CSP
Director - Environment Health Safety Security, USA & CANADA
IBERDROLA RENEWABLES
1125 NW Couch, Suite 700, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 796-7736
gary.lemoine@iberdrolausa.com