With any industry that has grown as quickly as renewable energy, safety is sometimes overlooked. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) classifies those working in the renewable energy industry as having a “green job.” The hazards of green jobs vary across the renewable energy field, whether in wind, solar, geo-thermal, or biofuel power generation companies. Ultimately, renewable energy companies must address both common workplace hazards and the emerging challenges unique to this developing industry.
Some of the most frequently cited OSHA standards across the renewable energy industry include:
- Required fall protection – One of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in wind energy is fall related incidents. Training workers on fall protection and enforcing tie-off rules is essential for operators.
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) – Many solar and wind technicians underestimate arc flash risks. Be sure all employees are trained on LOTO and be sure those practices are being followed in the field.
- Safety training and education – Go through all of your records and be sure all employees have the required training for working with equipment they are utilizing and are current on all of their company and OSHA required training.
- Respiratory protection – OSHA’s respirable silica standard should be reviewed and employees must be trained on silica exposure mitigation.
- Safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- Hazard communication – OSHA’s hazard communication standard requires employers to train employees on the hazards of chemicals they might encounter.
- Proper use of aerial lifts – Train employees and document the training for all equipment they are using.
- Confined space permitting – Wind turbine nacelles or power plant equipment often require a confined space permit program to ensure worker safety.
- Personal protective equipment – PPE can save a life. Make sure all PPE is being worn, is not expired, and re-train employees on the importance of PPE.
OSHA citations for failure to adhere to these standards are costly and can lead to increased scrutiny by regulatory agencies and higher penalties for subsequent violations. Minimizing accidents also helps reduce downtime and other associated costs. Beyond the financial impact, citations and accidents can also damage a company’s reputation for safety, ultimately deterring potential hires, investors, and clients.
Employers in the renewable energy industry should conduct a risk assessment and audit of their current safety measures to avoid agency citations and potential accidents. However, once you perform the safety audit, you need to quickly act on your findings and make any necessary changes to your worksite or policies as needed. Please reach out to a Husch Blackwell Workplace Safety & Health professional with any questions.