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GREEN JOB HAZARDS: WIND ENERGY, WIND

FARMS, WIND TURBINES, FIRE AND CRANE SAFETY
GREENJOBHAZARDS:
WINDENERGY,WIND
FARMS,WINDTURBINES,
FIREANDCRANESAFETY

Onemanwasinjuredwhenamultimilliondollar
cranethatwasusedtoperformrepairoperations
tippedoverFridaymorning,onAugust8,2014.
The Mower County Sheriffs Office says a
crane was working at a wind turbine site
near the intersection of County Road 8
and 180thStreet, about five miles south
of Grand Meadow, when it tipped over at
about 7:15 am.Authorities said the
crane tipped over on one end, and the
impact crushed the cabin.
Accordingtoofficials,thedriverdidescapethe
tippedvehicle,butthemanhadtoreceive
treatmentataRochesterhospital.Hereportedly
wasinstableconditionbytheafternoon,andhe
didreturnhometoWisconsinthedayafterhe
receivedmedicalattention.Acompany
spokespersonsaidthecrewwasinvolvedin
routinewindturbinerepairwhentheincident
occurred.Somehow,anautomaticsafetyfeature
malfunctionedandthecranetippedover.
Workerssaidnoloadwasontheliftatthetimeit
tippedoveronend,butthatthemachinehada
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boomofabout300320feet.Alightwindwas
reported,butnoheavygustswerenoted.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration attempts to protect
workers in the wind energy from these
sorts of terrible incidents. It has several
rules regulating the use of cranes and
similar machinery while constructing or
repairing turbines. Here are a few key
regulations:

Cranesandtheircontrolsmustbeinspected
byadesignatedcompetentpersonbefore
theycanbeused.
Thecranemustrestonafirm,stable
surface.
Theremustbeatleast10feetofsafe
workingclearancefromoverheadelectric
powerlines.

Besides wind, other weather conditions

can increase the risk of a work site
accident. Hydraulics in the crane can be
affected by temperatures below 10
degrees Fahrenheit. Rain, snow and fog
can also reduce a crane's lifting capacity,
as well as its stability on the ground.
Water can seep into the brakes or clutch,
making safe operations potentially
impossible.
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Windturbinesgenerateelectricityfromwind,and
arebeingmanufacturedandinstalledallacross
thenation.Windenergyemployersneedto
protecttheirworkersfromworkplacehazardsand
workersshouldbeengagedinworkplacesafety
andhealthandneedtounderstandhowtoprotect
themselvesfromthesehazards.
Whilethisisagrowingindustry,thehazardsare
notuniqueandOSHAhasmanystandardsthat
coverthem.Thispageprovidesinformationabout
someofthehazardsthatworkersinthewind
energyindustrymayface.

HazardsandControlsoftheWind
EnergyIndustry
Themostcommonhazardsare:

Falls
ConfinedSpaces
Fires
Lockout/Tagout
MedicalandFirstAid
Crane,DerrickandHoistSafety
Electrical
MachineGuarding
RespiratoryProtection

Fatalities/Incidents
WindEnergyworkersareexposedtohazardsthat
canresultinfatalitiesandseriousinjuries.Many
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incidentsinvolvingfalls,severeburnsfrom
electricalshocksandarcflashes/fires,and
crushinginjurieshavebeenreportedto
OSHA.Someexamplesaregivenbelow:

OnAugust29,2009at08:30hoursa33
yearoldmalelinemanwasshockedashe
graspedatrailerrampattachedtoalowboy
trailercontaininganexcavator.The
excavatorwasbeingoperatedin
anticipationofbeingoffloadedfromthe
trailer.Thetrailerwasparkedonarural
aggregateroadadjacenttoanaccessroad
forawindturbinegenerator.Theexcavator
operatorrotatedtheupperworksofthe
machinepriortomovingthemachinefrom
thetrailer.Duringtherotationtheboom
contacteda7,200voltprimaryruralpower
line.Thepowerlinewasapproximately12
feetfromtheroadwiththetrailerparked
approximatelytwofeetfromtheroadedge.
Theinjuredworkerhadentrywoundsinhis
handsandexitwoundsinhisfeet.Hewas
transportedbyEMS,treatedandadmitted
forobservationatalocalhospital.Hewas
dischargedapproximately24hourslater
andreturnedtoworkthefollowingday.
On05/10/09,thevictimwasworkinginthe
bottompowercabinetofawindturbine.He
wascheckingtheelectricalconnectionsand
cameintocontactwithabusbarandarc
flasherupted,causinginjurytothevictim.
Afterwardthevictimwastakentoa
hospitalbytheirtechnicianandwasmetby
theambulanceontheway.Afterarrivingat
thehospitalhewaslatertransferredby
medvactoanotherhospitalinOklahoma
Cityandwastreatedforinjuries.On
06/02/09,thecompanywasnotifiedbya

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representativeofthehospitalthatthevictim
wasdeceased.
OnNovember11,2005,worker#1andtwo
coworkerswereremovingandreplacinga
brokenboltinthenacelleassemblyofa
windturbinetowerthatwasapproximately
200feetabovetheground.Theywere
heatingtheboltwithanoxygenacetylene
torchwhenafirestarted.Worker#1
retreatedtotherearofthenacelle,away
fromtheladderaccessarea.Whilethetwo
coworkerswereabletodescendthetower,
Worker#1fellapproximately200feetto
theground,struckanelectricaltransformer
box,andwaskilled.
Atapproximately11:40a.m.onJune17,
1992,aworkerattemptedtodescendan80
ft.ladderthataccessedawindturbine
generator.Theworkerslippedorfellfrom
theladderandwaskilled.Thevictimwas
wearinghiscompanyfurnishedsafetybelt,
butthesafetylanyardswerenotattached.
Bothlanyardswerelaterdiscovered
attachedtotheirtieoffconnectionatthe
topoftheturbinegenerator.
Asiteforemanwasreplacinga480volt
circuitbreakerservingawindturbine.He
turnedarotaryswitchtowhathethought
wastheopenpositioninordertoisolatethe
circuitbreaker.However,theworkerdid
nottestthecircuittoensurethatit
wasdeenergized.Theworkerhadplacedthe
rotaryswitchinaclosedposition,andthe
circuitbreakerremainedenergizedbyback
feedfromatransformer.Usingtwoplastic
handledscrewdrivers,theemployeeshorted
twocontactsonthebreakertodischarge
staticvoltagebuildup.Thiscausedafault,
andtheresultantelectricarccauseddeep
flashburnstotheworker'sfaceandarms

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andignitedhisshirt.Theworkerwas
hospitalizedinaburnunitfor4days.

Resources
Additionalinformationonwindenergycanbe
foundatthelinksbelow:

DepartmentofEnergy'sWindEnergyPage

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYFALLS

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Workerswhoerectandmaintainwindturbines
canbeexposedtofallhazards.Windturbines
varyinheight,butcanbeover100feettall.
Exposuretohighwindsmaymakeworkathigh
elevationsevenmorehazardous.OSHAhas
differentfallprotectionrequirementsfor
construction(installationoftowers)andgeneral
industry(maintenance).
Duringinstallation,workersmayneedtoaccess
individualturbinesectionstoweld/fitindividual
sectionstogether,runelectricalorotherlines,and
install/testequipmentoftenatheightsgreater
than100feet.Constructionworkersonwind
farmswhenexposedtofalldistancesof6feetor
moremustbeprotectedfromfallsbyusingoneof
thefollowingmethods:

GuardrailSystems
SafetynetSystems
Personalfallarrestsystems

Maintenanceworkinvolvingwindturbinesis
generallyconsideredtofallunderOSHAsgeneral
industrystandards.Suchworkerswhenexposed
tofallhazardsof4feetormoremustbeprotected
byastandardrailing.Ifsucharailingisnot
possiblethentheworkersmustbeprotectedfrom
fallsthroughtheuseofpersonalprotective
equipmentsuchasapersonalfallarrestsystemor
asafetynet.
Additionally,generalindustryworkersengagedin
maintenanceofthewindturbinesmayhaveto
climbuptheturbinetowersusingfixedladders.
Whileclimbingafixedladder(exceeding20feet
inlength)onthesetowers,aladderequippedwith
acageorwellmusthavealandingplatformevery
30feetaladdernotsoequippedmusthavea
landingplatformevery20feet.See29CFR
1910.27(d)(2).Laddersafetydevicesmaybeused
onwindtowerladdersover20feetinunbroken
lengthinlieuofcageprotection.Nolanding
platformisrequiredinthesecases.See29CFR
1910.27(d)(5).

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Someadditionalresourcesonfallprotectionare
providedbelow:

QuickCardonFallProtection
HazardsandPossibleSolutions

Forfurtherinformationonfallhazards,OSHAs
FallProtectionpagesforGeneralandMaritime
industriesandConstructionIndustryshouldbe
consulted.

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYCONFINEDSPACES

Duringmanufacturingofequipment,windenergy
employersneedtolookatthespacesthatworkers
entertodetermineiftheymeetOSHAsdefinition
ofaconfinedspace.Bydefinition,aconfined
space:
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Islargeenoughforanemployeetoenter
fullyandperformassignedwork
Isnotdesignedforcontinuousoccupancy
bytheemployeeand
Hasalimitedorrestrictedmeansofentryor
exit.

Someconfinedspaceshaverecognizedhazards,
suchaslowoxygenenvironments,whichcan
poseariskforasphyxiation,oraccumulationof
hazardousgases.Theseconfinedspacesarecalled
permitrequiredconfinedspacesandrequire
additionalsafety.precautions.
Windenergyemployersalsoneedtolookatthe
hazardsoftheconfinedspacestodetermine
whetherthosespacesarepermitrequired
confinedspaces(PRCS).Bydefinition,aPRCS
hasoneormoreofthesecharacteristics:

Containsorhasthepotentialtocontaina
hazardousatmosphere
Containsamaterialwiththepotentialto
engulfsomeonewhoentersthespace
Hasaninternalconfigurationthatmight
causeanentranttobetrappedor
asphyxiatedbyinwardlyconvergingwalls
orbyafloorthatslopesdownwardand
taperstoasmallercrosssectionand/or
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Containsanyotherrecognizedserious
safetyorhealthhazards.

Ifworkersareexpectedtoenterpermitrequired
confinedspaces,theemployermustdevelop
awrittenpermitspaceprogramandmakeit
availabletoworkersortheirrepresentatives.
Thepermitspaceprogrammustdetailthestepsto
betakentomakethespacesafeforentry.
TheconfigurationofallNacelleswillclassify
themasconfinedspacesandduringthe
maintenanceactivitiesinsidetheNacelles,
workersmaybeexposedtohazardsfrom
electricalmotors,gears,etc.Thosehazardsmay
classifyaNacelletobeaPRCS.Technicians
workinginNacellesshouldmakesuretoperform
airsampling(suchasforlowoxygenlevelsor
otherhazardousgases)priortoenteringaNacelle.
Itisrecommendedthatthetechnicianshould
alwayscarryaportablegasmonitorintheir
toolkitandmakesurethatitismaintained
properly.
Forfurtherinformationonconfinedspace
hazards,OSHA'spageonConfinedSpacesshould
beconsulted.
Someadditionalresourcesonconfinedspacesare
providedbelow:

QuickCardonConfinedSpaces
InformationalBooklet
HazardsandSolutions

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GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYLOCKOUT/TAGOUT

"Lockout/Tagout(LOTO)"referstospecific
practicesandprocedurestosafeguardemployees
fromtheunexpectedenergizationorstartupof
machineryandequipment,orthereleaseof
hazardousenergyduringserviceormaintenance
activities.
Approximately3millionworkersservice
equipmentandfacethegreatestriskofinjuryif
lockout/tagoutisnotproperlyimplemented.
Compliancewiththelockout/tagoutstandard
preventsanestimated120fatalitiesand50,000
injurieseachyear.Workersinjuredonthejob
fromexposuretohazardousenergylosean
averageof24workdaysforrecuperation.Ina
studyconductedbytheUnitedAutoWorkers
(UAW),20%ofthefatalities(83of414)that
occurredamongtheirmembersbetween1973and
1995wereattributedtoinadequatehazardous
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energycontrolprocedures,specifically
lockout/tagoutprocedures.Windturbineshave
lotsofinternalmachineryandequipment,
includingbladesthatneedtobemaintained.
Workersperformingservicingormaintenance
maybeexposedtoinjuriesfromtheunexpected
energization,startupofthemachineryor
equipment,orreleaseofstoredenergyinthe
equipment.Windfarmemployersmustimplement
lockout/tagoutproceduresoutlinedinOSHA
standards.See29CFR1910.269(d)and29
CFR1910.147.
Thefollowingaresomeofthesignificant
requirementsofaLockout/Tagout
procedurerequiredunderaLockout/Tagout
program.

Onlyauthorizedemployeesmaylockoutor
tagoutmachinesorequipmentinorderto
performservicingormaintenance.
Lockoutdevices(locks)andtagoutdevices
shallnotbeusedforanyotherpurposesand
mustbeusedonlyforcontrollingenergy.
LockoutandTagoutdevices(locksand
tags)mustidentifythenameoftheworker
applyingthedevice.
Allenergysourcestoequipmentmustbe
identifiedandisolated.
Aftertheenergyisisolatedfromthe
machineorequipment,theisolating
device(s)mustbelockedoutortaggedout
insafeoroffpositiononlybythe
authorizedemployees.
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Followingtheapplicationofthelockoutor
tagoutdevicestotheenergyisolating
devices,thestoredorresidualenergymust
besafelydischargedorrelieved.
Priortostartingworkontheequipment,the
authorizedemployeeshallverifythatthe
equipmentisisolatedfromtheenergy
source,forexample,byoperatingtheon/off
switchonthemachineorequipment.
Lockandtagmustremainonthemachine
untiltheworkiscompleted.
Onlytheauthorizedemployeewhoplaced
thelockandtagmustremovehis/herlock
ortag,unlesstheemployerhasaspecific
procedureasoutlinedinOSHA's
Lockout/Tagoutstandard.

Someadditionalgeneralresourceson
Lockout/Tagoutareprovidedbelow:

June26,2007LetterofInterpretation
ClarificationofLOTOproceduresfor
servicingandmaintenanceofwindturbines
Lockout/TagoutProgram
Lockout/TagouteTool
OSHAFactSheet[PDF*]
OSHA'sEnforcementPolicy[PDF*]
NIOSHAlert:PreventingWorkerDeaths
fromUncontrolledReleaseofElectrical,
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Mechanical,andOtherTypesofHazardous
Energy

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYFIRES

Windturbinesmayhavefirehazardsbecause
oftheelectricalpartsandthecombustible
materialssuchasinsulationorthematerialof
constructionusedintheturbinehousing
(Nacelle)orlubricantsinvolvedinits
operation.
Windenergyemployersshouldtrainworkers
aboutfirehazardsattheworksiteandabout
whattodoinafireemergency.Thisplan
shouldoutlinetheassignmentsofkey
personnelintheeventofafireandprovidean
evacuationplanforworkersonthewind
turbines.Whereemployersrequireworkers
touseportablefireextinguishers,workers
mustbetrainedinthegeneralprincipleoffire
extinguisheruseandthehazardsinvolved
withincipientstagefirefighting.
Workersshouldbemadeawarethatwhile
fightinginitialfires,toxicgasescanbe
generatedandoxygencanbedepletedinside
Nacelles,andtheycanbeexposedtosuch
gasesorcanbeasphyxiatedfromlackof
oxygen.
Iftheemployerchoosestouseafixed
extinguishingsysteminsideNacelles,thenthe
freezingpointoftheextinguishingmedium
andthesafetyofworkers(exposuretotoxic
gasesanddepletionofoxygen)including
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emergencyescapemethodshouldtaken
intoconsideration.
Inadditiontothefireextinguishing
mechanisms(whethertheuseoffire
extinguishersorafireextinguishingsystemor
both),firedetectionsystemsandemergency
alarmsystemsshouldbeinstalledinside
Nacellestogiveanearlywarningtoworkers
toescape.Ifsuchsystemsareinstalled,they
mustbemaintainedinoperablecondition,
see1910.160(c)and1910.165(d).
Workersshouldknowexactlywhattodoand
howtoescapeinafireemergency.Wind
turbinesshouldbeprovidedwithquickescape
descentdevicesforworkerstoescapeinthe
eventofafireorotheremergency.
OSHAsFireSafetypageshouldbeconsulted
foradditionalinformationonfirehazards.
FireSafetyAdvisorisavailableasan
additionalresourceinmitigatingfirehazards
associatedwithWindTurbines.
Falls|ConfinedSpaces|Fires
|Lockout/Tagout|MedicalandFirst
Aid|Crane,DerrickandHoist
Safety|Electrical|Machine
Guarding|RespiratoryProtection
GreenJobHazards:WindEnergyMedical
andFirstAid

Windfarmsarenormallylocatedinremote
locations,awayfromahospitalorother
emergencytreatmentfacilities.Thisisamajor
concernifaworkergetshurthowwillthey
betreatedquickly?Windenergyemployers
shoulddeterminetheestimatesofemergency
medicalserviceresponsetimesforalltheir
windfarmlocationsforalltimesoftheday
andnightatwhichtheyhaveworkersonduty,
andtheyshouldusethatinformationwhen
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planningtheirfirstaidprogram.The
employersmustensurethatmedicalpersonnel
areavailableforadviceandconsultation,and
thatsomeonewhoistrainedisavailableto
providefirstaid.SeeOSHA'swebpage
onMedicalServicesandFirstAidforElectric
PowerIndustrypertainingtoTwoPerson
Ruleand4minuteRescue.
Trainedfirstaidprovidersmustbeavailable
atallwindfarmsofanysize,ifthereisno
nearbyclinicorahospital.Ifaworkeris
expectedtorenderfirstaidaspartofhisor
herjobduties,theworkeriscoveredbythe
requirementsoftheOccupationalExposureto
BloodbornePathogensstandard.Thisstandard
includesspecifictrainingrequirements.
OSHAsElectricPowerGeneration,
Transmission,andDistributionstandard
requiresthatworkersaretrainedin
cardiopulmonaryresuscitation(CPR),because
aworkerwhomaybeexposedtoanelectric
shockmayexperienceasuddencardiacarrest.
Insuchadversesituations,automatedexternal
defibrillators(AEDs)canalsoassistin
preventingapotentialdeath.AEDsshouldbe
providedatwindfarmsandworkersshouldbe
trainedinhowtousethem.Thistrainingcan
bedonewhenCPRtrainingisprovidedto
workers.
Forfurtherinformationonmedicalandfirst
aid,OSHAsMedicalandFirstAidpage
shouldbeconsulted.OSHAspublication
onFirstAidProgram[PDF*]isanother
resourcethatcanbeused.

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GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYCRANE,DERRICKAND
HOISTSAFETY

Cranes,derricks,andhoistswillbeusedtomove
thelarge,heavyloadsduringwindturbine
installationandmaintenance.Fatalitiesand
seriousinjuriescanoccurifcranesarenot
inspectedandusedproperly.Manyfatalitiescan
occurwhenthecraneboom,loadlineorload
contactspowerlinesandshortselectricityto
ground.Otherincidentshappenwhenworkersare
struckbytheload,arecaughtinsidetheswing
radiusorfailtoassemble/disassemblethecrane
properly.Therearesignificantsafetyissuestobe
considered,bothfortheoperatorsofthediverse
"lifting"devices,andforworkerswhoworknear
them.SeeOSHAsGeneralIndustrystandardsat
29CFR1910.179and29CFR1910.180,and
Constructionstandardat29
CFR1926.1417[PDF*]forspecificcrane
requirements.

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Cranesaretobeoperatedonlybyqualified
andtrainedpersonnel.
Adesignatedcompetentpersonmust
inspectthecraneandallcranecontrols
beforeuse.
Besurethecraneisonafirm/stablesurface
andlevel.
Duringassembly/disassemblydonot
unlockorremovepinsunlesssectionsare
blockedandsecure(stable).
Fullyextendoutriggersandbarricade
accessibleareasinsidethecranesswing
radius.
Watchforoverheadelectricpowerlinesand
maintainatleasta10footsafeworking
clearancefromthelines.
Inspectallriggingpriortousedonotwrap
hoistlinesaroundtheload.
Besuretousethecorrectloadchartforthe
cranescurrentconfigurationandsetup,the
loadweightandliftpath.
Donotexceedtheloadchartcapacitywhile
makinglifts.
Raiseloadafewinches,hold,verify
capacity/balance,andtestbrakesystem
beforedeliveringload.
Donotmoveloadsoverworkers.
Besuretofollowsignalsandmanufacturer
instructionswhileoperatingcranes.

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SinceWindTurbinesareinstalledinwindyareas,
theaffectsofwindspeedsneedtobetakeninto
considerationforliftingactivities.Stabilitycanbe
anissuewhentheboomishighandthewind
comingfromtherear,front,orsideofthecrane
cancausetheloadtoswayawayfromthecrane,
increasingtheradiusandthuspossiblydecreasing
thecranecapacity.
Anemployerneedstodeterminethewindspeeds
atwhichitisnotsafetocontinuelifting
operations.Loadchartsdonotgenerallytake
windspeedsintoconsideration.Iftheloadchart
ortheoperatingmanualdoesnothave
informationonwindspeedsandderating
information,thecranemanufacturershouldbe
consulted.Theproceduresapplicabletothe
operationoftheequipment,includingrated
capacities(loadcharts),recommendedoperating
speeds,specialhazardwarnings,instructions,and
operatorsmanual,mustbereadilyavailablein
thecabatalltimesforusebytheoperator.See29
CFR1926.1417(c)[PDF*].Themaximum
allowablewindspeedandderatinginformation
needtobepostedconspicuouslyinthecaboron
theloadchart
Extremelycoldweatherconditionscanhavean
impactoncraneandliftingoperations.When
temperaturesdropbelow10oFappropriate
considerationshouldbegiventocranehydraulics,
andpossiblederatingofthecrane.
Badweathersuchasrain,snoworfog,canalso
haveadverseimpactonlifting.Equipmentand/or
operationsmustbeadjustedtoaddresstheeffect
ofwind,ice,andsnowonequipmentstabilityand
ratedcapacity.See29CFR1926.1417(n)[PDF*].
Duringthunderstorms,acraneboomcanbecome
alightningrod.Ifthereisanindicationof
possiblethunderstorms,liftingactivitiesshouldbe
suspendedandtheboomshouldbeloweredtoa
safeposition,andworkersshouldleavethearea.
Ifthecraneisstruckbylightning,itshouldbe
thoroughlyinspectedpriortoputtingitbackinto
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service.
Heavyrainalongwithhighspeedwindsalsocan
affectcraneoperations.Watercangetinto
componentssuchasbrakesorclutches,and
rendertheminoperable.Whentheseconditions
exist,operatorsshouldwaituntilthecomponents
aredriedout.
Thefollowingresourcesareavailable:

QuickCardonCraneSafety
Crane,Derrick,andHoistSafety

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYELECTRICAL

Workersinwindfarmsarepotentiallyexposedto
avarietyofserioushazards,suchasarcflashes
(whichincludearcflashburnandblasthazards),
electricshock,falls,andthermalburnhazardsthat
cancauseinjuryanddeath.Windfarmemployers
arecoveredbytheElectricpowergeneration,
transmission,anddistributionstandardsand,
therefore,arerequiredtoimplementthesafework
practicesandworkertrainingrequirementsof
OSHA'sElectricPowerGeneration,Transmission
andDistributionstandard,29CFR1910.269.
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Workersneedtopayattentiontooverheadpower
linesatwindfarms.Thehazardisfromusing
toolsandequipmentthatcancontactpowerlines
andworkersmuststayatleast10feet
away[PDF*]fromthem,becausetheycarry
extremelyhighvoltage.Fatalelectrocutionisthe
mainhazard,butburnsandfallsfromelevations
canoccuratthewindfarms.Someresourceson
electricalhazardsareprovidedbelow:

WorkHazardsandSafetyPracticesinthe
ElectricPowerIndustry
OSHAAssistancefortheElectricPower
Generation,Transmission,andDistribution
Industry
NIOSHsElecticalSafetyTopicsPage

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYMACHINEGUARDING

Theproductionofawindturbineinvolves
thousandsofpartsgears,blades,andmany
othersuchparts.Manufacturingwindturbines,
therefore,willinvolvemachinesofvarious
configurationsandmayexposeworkersto
hazardsofmovingpartsofthemachinesifthey
arenotsafeguardedproperly.
Additionally,themovingpartsassociatedwiththe
turbineifnotguardedproperlymayhavethe
potentialtocausesevereworkplaceinjuries,such
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ascrushedfingersorhands,amputations,burns,
orblindness.Employersmustensurethatthe
workersareprotectedfromthemachinehazards
andworkersshouldmakesurethattherotating
partsandpointsofoperationofmachinesare
properlyguardedpriortousingthem.More
informationonmachineguardingcanbefoundon
theOSHAwebsite.
Someadditionalresourcesonmachineguarding
areprovidedbelow:

SafeguardingEquipmentandProtecting
EmployeesfromAmputations[PDF*]
MachineGuardingeTool

GREENJOBHAZARDS:WIND
ENERGYRESPIRATORY
PROTECTION

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Manufacturingturbinebladesinvolveoperations
likebuffingandresurfacing,whichmayexpose
workerstoharmfulgases,vaporsanddusts.
Workersmustbeprotectedfromtheinhalation
hazardsthroughtheuseofventilation.Ifthe
ventilationaloneisnotadequate,thenworkers
mayalsoneedtouseappropriaterespirators.
Useofrespiratorsmaygiveafalsesenseof
securityandworkersshouldunderstandthe
limitationsoftherespirators.Forexample,during
heavyexertiontherespiratorsealisoften
compromised,whichallowsthechemicaltoenter
thebreathingzone(withoutbeingfiltered)
throughthegapsbetweentherespiratorandthe
face.Insuchsituationsaworkerwhoisnot
adequatelytrainedmaythinkthatheorsheis
beingprotected.Itis,therefore,essentialthat
workersbeprovidedtrainingintheproperuseof
respiratorsandtheirlimitations.Inaddition,
theymustbetrainedontheproperstorageand
maintenanceofrespirators.
Respiratoryprotectioncanbeeffectiveonlyif:

thecorrecttypeofrespiratorisused,
itisreadilyavailable,
workerknowshowtoputitonandtakeit
off,and
itisstoredandkeptinworkingcondition
basedonthemanufacturer's
recommendations
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Additionalresourcesonrespiratoryprotectioncan
befoundbelow:

OSHA'sPageonRespiratoryProtection
OSHA'sVideoonRespiratorProtection
RespiratoryProtectionTrainingMaterials

METROPOLITANENGINEERING,
CONSULTING&FORENSICS(MECF)
ProvidingCompetent,ExpertandObjective
InvestigativeEngineeringandConsulting
Services
P.O.Box520
Tenafly,NJ076700520
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Tel.:(973)8978162
Fax:(973)8100440
Email:metroforensics@gmail.com
Webpages:
https://sites.google.com/site/metropolitanforensics/
https://sites.google.com/site/metropolitanenvironmental/
https://sites.google.com/site/metroforensics3/
http://metroforensics.blogspot.com/
Wearehappytoannouncethelaunchofour
twitteraccount.Pleasemakesuretofollowus
at@MetropForensicsor@metroforensics1
Metropolitanappreciatesyourbusiness.
Feelfreetorecommendourservicesto
yourfriendsandcolleagues.

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