Renewable energy projects are growing exponentially throughout the country, creating jobs for professionals in the electric and utility sectors. However, keeping workers safe is of the utmost importance. Some work site hazards are specific to alternative energy projects and require new insights and safety measures.
According to the International Energy Agency, solar PV growth will triple between 2024 and 2030. All green energy is likely to increase, but the biggest gains will be seen in solar as costs continue to drop and more people add panels to their businesses. Cities around the country are turning to solar farms to collect energy for the communities they serve.
As people seek cleaner, greener and more sustainable ways to consume electricity, companies and utilities are turning to wind, solar and geothermal options. Working at heights far above a normal utility pole and on high-voltage systems brings new risks for workers. Green energy projects require advanced safety measures geared to clean energy sources.
Preventing Hazards in the Renewable Energy Sector
Most in the industry associate the risks of installation with downed electrical lines. However, there are larger safety concerns workers encounter while installing and maintaining renewable energy beyond electrical hazards. As the industry continues to expand, management needs to look for ways to ensure worker safety.
1. Minimize the Risk of Falls
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the most cited violation of 2024 was not having adequate fall protection systems. Falls are one of the top causes of work-related deaths each year. OSHA requires debris netting in work spaces over 25 feet to stop items from falling from elevated work surfaces. The added protection can also catch someone who falls from a high work surface.
Most workers use debris netting to catch any tools or objects that may be dropped during work and installation. These nets help keep workers and pedestrians on the ground safe from objects falling overhead.
Harnesses and other fall arrest systems should be the first step in preventing serious injury. Installation crew leaders should also inspect scaffolding to ensure nothing is loose. Attention to these installation equipment can prevent accidents and keep the renewable energy sector lucrative.
2. Consider Heavy Equipment Protocols
Large components of a green energy installation might include wind turbine blades or solar panels. Crews will have to use heavy equipment and know how to handle crane operations in variable weather conditions. Each year, over 2,247 official citations for powered industrial trucks are issued due to inadequate training, improper operation, or lack of maintenance, making equipment protocols vital for organizations to address.
Clear communication becomes crucial when people are on and off equipment, heightening the potential for injury. Sound can grow to loud decibels with moving equipment, like windmills turning. In addition to providing functional radio equipment, the crew must use hand signals so others around them know when they are getting ready to lift a large object or swing it around.
Some of the training specific to the renewable energy sector includes understanding proper use of PPE, electric safety training and equipment operation certification for the exact machines used on site.
3. Start With Risk Assessments
One of the root causes of workplace injuries and incidents is the failure to recognize and anticipate hazards. Organizations must conduct comprehensive assessments of potential work site risks before beginning construction, installation or maintenance of renewable energy structures. Doing so can help leaders plan for and avoid potential hazards. Ideally, a detailed project scope is a good place to start.
Management should consider elements like:
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Site conditions such as terrain, access points and potential weather issues.
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Proximity to supplies that workers might need, such as fire hydrants and water sources.
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Risks from the equipment, such as turbine blades turning or the potential for battery storage systems to explode.
Understanding the risks makes it easier to reduce them and handle the worst-case scenarios. Additional training on any specialized knowledge should also be a priority.
4. Avoid Electrical Hazards
There are about 4,000 people electrocuted in the workplace each year and 30,000 nonfatal electrical injuries. The cost of treatment of nonfatal injuries on the job costs a staggering average of $1-4 million and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the accidents are preventable. Renewable energy installers face issues such as arc flashes during installation, dealing with high-voltage lines while connecting to the power grid and electrical fires.
Workers should utilize lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, check grounding, and conduct visual inspections for faulty wiring. If working with live parts, the necessary OSHA procedures must be followed.
Proper training and reminders of safety procedures lower the risks. Certifications and advanced training also reduce the chance of someone making an error and getting electrocuted.
5. Pay Attention to Ergonomic Risks
Some risks add up over time and may not have an immediate impact. Since wind turbines are noisy, workers may experience hearing loss after working near them for extended periods. Heavy equipment and installation tools may also cause decibels that result in hearing loss. Crews should always use OSHA-approved PPE to dampen the noise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 53% of noise-exposed workers admit to not wearing hearing protection, and 20% of these tested workers have a hearing impairment that impacts their day-to-day abilities.
In addition, workers may suffer a risk of injury from repeating the same motions, which can lead to injury over time. About 1.71 billion people around the world have musculoskeletal conditions, which can result in early retirement and low quality of life.
Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, can be prevented in workers in the renewable energy sector by practicing good work techniques on-site and utilizing mandatory personal protective gear.
6. Watch for Cadmium Telluride Exposure
Some damaged solar panels can leak Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), which may damage kidney, lung, and bone tissue. Once the cadmium is in the lungs, it attaches and can cause damage long after exposure.
When solar panels containing CdTe near the end of their life, companies in charge of removing them must dispose of them carefully and ethically to prevent primary or secondary lead and Cadmium exposure. Only expertly trained workers should remove damaged and cracked panels, leveraging respirators and gloves to ensure protection. With respiratory protection infractions being one of the highest-cited violations, employers should establish and maintain a respiratory protection program tailored to the materials they work with.
Address Work Site Hazards With Common Sense Safety Measures
For key industry players, some of the work site safety measures may seem common sense. Yet, according to the data, most accidents occur because the foundational safety procedures are not adhered to during the installation and maintenance of renewable energy equipment.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration oversees solar and wind renewable energy projects. According to OSHA, taking a proactive approach prevents accidents by 50% and helps workers operating in clean energy spaces like wind or solar farms or working on installations in commercial and residential spaces, do so safely and efficiently. Consequently, OSHA’s standards and training should be the benchmark for managing safety risks such as electrical shock, falls and hazardous material exposure.