How can a data mining approach be employed in response to the scarcity of available incident data in the wind industry? The inherent constraints of the data collection process presented evident limitations to any study or dedicated research, as the researchers are usually restricted to incidents that had garnered sufficient prominence to be documented in the media.
Major wind farm operators do include injury rate data in their corporate reports; however, these figures are often confined to Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) or Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR), providing limited additional information or in-depth analysis.
In the United Kingdom, all employers are obligated to report Health and Safety incidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Unfortunately, the reported data is aggregated on an industry sector basis, lacking a distinct category for offshore wind or renewable energy. Instead, these statistics are amalgamated into the broader category of electricity generation. Consequently, conducting a specific analysis of this data to assess offshore wind performance becomes unfeasible.
This stands in contrast to the offshore oil and gas sector, which enjoys a dedicated category for reporting accidents under RIDDOR. This divergence in reporting frameworks hampers a comprehensive evaluation of the unique safety dynamics within the offshore wind industry.
The global expansion of the offshore wind sector is happening at a rapid pace, with numerous governments setting ambitious growth targets to meet their decarbonization objectives. However, as the industry expands, the task of constructing and operating wind farms safely becomes increasingly complex. Wind farms are now being developed farther from the shore, facing more challenging weather and sea conditions. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive has expressed concerns regarding safety performance in this evolving landscape.
It delves into the most recent research findings, injury statistics, and the existing legislative framework governing the sector. Additionally, it contemplates how the industry’s risk profile might evolve in the upcoming years. The analysis underscores the necessity for targeted research addressing the specific safety challenges posed by offshore wind.
Statistics on injury rates reveal a safety performance that is 3–4 times worse than comparable industries, and industry reports currently lack comprehensive coverage of substantial portions of the sector. The swift expansion of the industry and the adoption of new technologies are expected to introduce additional challenges. In light of these developments, regulators should contemplate the implementation of safety legislation tailored to the unique challenges inherent in offshore wind operations.
Annual Wind Workforce Outlook Highlights Huge Global Demand
The Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2023-2027 projects a demand for over 574,000 technicians in the areas of Construction and Installation (C&I) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) by 2027. To keep pace with this growth, nearly 43% of these technicians are expected to be newcomers to the industry, either entering through education and recruitment channels or transitioning from other sectors like offshore oil and gas.
A strategy is urged to secure a skilled and diverse workforce as a report from the Offshore Wind Industry Council highlights the requirement for nearly 70,000 more jobs in the offshore wind sector by 2030.
Anticipating a doubling of annual wind energy installations from 78 GW in 2022 to 155 GW in 2027, the global wind capacity is set to surpass 1,500 GW in just five years. Fueled by technological advancements and the rapid expansion of offshore wind, the Outlook foresees a 17% increase in the demand for wind technicians in C&I and O&M during the forecast period.
This growth necessitates an additional 84,600 technicians to support the wind power expansion. However, factoring in a typical 6% attrition rate, the industry would also need to recruit an extra 159,200 individuals to replace technicians expected to naturally exit the wind industry between 2023 and 2027.
To meet this demand, recruiting an additional 243,800 new technicians over the next five years opens up numerous opportunities for fresh talent to enter the industry from full-time education or transition from other sectors, including the conventional sector.
Understanding the Secrecy Behind Offshore Wind Energy Accidents
How can a data mining approach be employed in response to the scarcity of available incident data in the wind industry?
Apart from G+ (The Global Ofshore Wind Health and Safety Regulations) reports, data on offshore wind incidents is not readily accessible from various sources. Accidents in offshore wind energy projects may not be as widely publicized or known for several reasons:
- Safety Measures and Regulations: Offshore wind energy projects are subject to strict safety measures and regulations. These measures are in place to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of workers and the environment. When accidents occur, investigations are typically conducted, and lessons learned are implemented to improve safety. As a result, the number of accidents may be relatively low compared to other industries.
- Industry Practices: The offshore wind industry may have practices in place to handle incidents internally before they become public knowledge. Companies often have reporting mechanisms and protocols for addressing incidents without necessarily making them public, especially if they are minor and do not pose significant risks.
- Limited Public Interest: Offshore wind energy projects might not attract as much public interest as other industries. As a result, media coverage and public awareness of accidents may be limited. The focus may be more on the positive aspects of renewable energy rather than incidents that occur during project implementation.
- Confidentiality and Legal Concerns: Companies involved in offshore wind projects may be reluctant to disclose information about accidents due to concerns about confidentiality and legal implications. This can include protecting proprietary information, trade secrets, and avoiding potential legal actions.
- Government Oversight: Regulatory bodies and government agencies oversee offshore wind projects and may have protocols for handling and reporting incidents. However, the information might not always be readily accessible to the public, and reporting requirements may vary by jurisdiction.
It’s important to note that while accidents may be less publicized, the industry takes safety seriously, and efforts are made to continually improve safety standards and practices.
Key Hazards in Offshore Wind Energy Operations
The hazards associated with offshore wind farms are diverse and can pose risks to both personnel and the integrity of the structures. Here’s an overview of some of the most important hazards presented by offshore wind farms:
- Diving Injuries:
- Risks associated with underwater activities such as maintenance and inspections.
- Potential for diving-related accidents, including decompression sickness and underwater hazards.
- Collision Injuries:
- Risks of collisions involving vessels, equipment, or structures.
- Increased maritime traffic around wind farms may heighten the potential for collisions.
- Evacuation Injuries:
- Challenges and risks during emergency evacuation procedures, especially in adverse weather conditions.
- Safely evacuating personnel from offshore platforms or vessels to shore.
- Structural Failures:
- Risks related to the structural integrity of wind turbines, platforms, and support structures.
- Potential for material fatigue, corrosion, or other structural issues.
- Falling Hazards:
- Risks associated with working at heights, both during construction and maintenance activities.
- Proper safety measures are crucial to prevent falls from turbines or other elevated structures.
- Equipment Malfunctions:
- Potential failures or malfunctions of machinery, tools, or equipment used in wind farm operations.
- Regular maintenance and monitoring are essential to minimize these risks.
- Electrical Hazards:
- Risks associated with electrical systems and components on wind turbines.
- Workers must be trained to handle electrical equipment safely to prevent shocks and injuries.
- Spatial Issues:
- Challenges related to limited space on platforms or vessels, especially during simultaneous operations.
- Adequate spatial planning is crucial to avoid congestion and ensure safe working conditions.
It’s important for offshore wind farm operators to have comprehensive safety protocols, training programs, and emergency response plans in place to address these hazards and mitigate associated risks. Regular inspections, maintenance, and adherence to industry safety standards contribute to creating a secure working environment in the offshore wind energy sector.
Key Performance Indicators – Reliable Evaluation of Risks and Highlights
Nowdays, it is critically important to introduce and implement a novel approach by suggesting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as a reliable and efficient ‘measure for possible exposure or loss‘ that could incorporate quantifiable elements to effectively showcase safety and security levels within offshore wind farms. These KRIs encompass a broad spectrum, addressing security threats like cyber-attacks or piracy alongside safety concerns for personnel.
One noteworthy KRI proposed in the study focuses on the risk of personnel being stranded on a wind turbine. This indicator takes into account various metrics such as time of day, wave heights, and light levels to provide a comprehensive assessment. The paper advocates for the inclusion of safety and security goals as integral components of the operational wind farm’s set of KPIs, supplementing the conventional metrics traditionally utilized in the industry. This forward-thinking approach emphasizes a holistic evaluation of risks and highlights the need for a comprehensive safety and security framework in offshore wind farm operations.
KPIs and Main Categories
The majority of the indicators identified falls under the category of lagging indicators, delineated across six distinct categories :
• Technical failure,
• Work environment and training,
• Transport and traffic,
• External factors,
• Organizational processes,
• Human factors.
These categories provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating various aspects of safety performance, encompassing not only the physical and environmental dimensions but also organizational and human elements.
Beyond Injury Rates: Navigating the Distinction Between Personnel Safety and Process Safety in Offshore Wind Plants
Personnel hazards in the context of offshore wind energy operations pertain to risks that do not directly involve the operation of the plant but have the potential to impact individuals working within that environment. An illustrative example of such a hazard is a worker falling from a height while engaged in tasks on a wind turbine tower.
These hazards are associated with the human aspects of the operation and highlight the importance of addressing safety concerns beyond technical and operational considerations.
Mitigating personnel hazards involves implementing measures to ensure the well-being of individuals working in challenging conditions, such as those encountered in offshore wind farms. This includes comprehensive training programs, adherence to strict safety protocols, and the use of appropriate safety equipment to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.
The recognition and proactive management of personnel hazards contribute to creating a safer working environment for individuals involved in the diverse tasks associated with offshore wind energy projects.
The perception of a safe offshore wind plant can be influenced by a low injury rate among personnel. However, it is crucial to recognize that the injury rate primarily reflects personnel safety and may not adequately capture the broader spectrum of process safety considerations. To elucidate this distinction, a poignant quote from Hopkins in hos article, Lessons from Esso’s gas plant explosion at Longford emphasizes the potential misconception: “An airline, for instance, would not make the mistake of measuring air safety by looking at the number of routine injuries occurring to its staff.”
In essence, while a low injury rate suggests a positive aspect of personnel safety, it may not provide a comprehensive assessment of the safety measures in place for the overall operational processes. Process safety involves the prevention and mitigation of incidents that could result in harm to people, damage to the environment, or disruptions in operations.
Therefore, a thorough evaluation of safety performance in offshore wind plants should encompass both personnel safety and process safety metrics to ensure a holistic understanding and management of potential risks. This nuanced perspective is essential for fostering a truly secure and resilient operational environment in the offshore wind energy sector.
Leading and Lagging Indicators
Hopkins underscores the critical significance of distinguishing between leading and lagging indicators, emphasizing that both are essential components for establishing an effective safety system. In essence, leading indicators are proactive measures that anticipate and prevent potential incidents, while lagging indicators are reactive measures that assess historical safety performance.
By acknowledging the complementary nature of both leading and lagging indicators, Hopkins emphasizes the need for a well-rounded safety approach. Leading indicators enable proactive risk mitigation and prevention, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. On the other hand, lagging indicators provide valuable insights into past incidents, guiding the refinement of safety protocols and procedures.
This strategic insight highlights the importance of striking a balance between proactive and reactive safety measures to create a robust and adaptive safety system within the offshore wind energy sector. Effectively integrating leading and lagging indicators contributes to a comprehensive safety framework, ensuring a proactive stance against potential risks while continuously learning from past experiences to enhance overall safety performance.
Human Impacts: Safety Considerations in the Era of Floating Wind Energy
The advent of floating wind energy introduces potential new hazards, alongside opportunities for innovative maintenance strategies aimed at mitigating associated risks. Research has delved into the effects of the motion of floating wind turbines on workers conducting tasks within the nacelle, exploring potential impacts on health and performance. Findings suggest that the motions, likely falling within the low-frequency range (less than 0.5Hs), may induce motion sickness and pose challenges for technicians in executing maintenance activities.
On one hand, concerns are raised regarding the potential impediments caused by motion sickness; on the other hand, separate research indicates that the accelerations resulting from nacelle motion might not significantly hinder technicians’ ability to perform their tasks. This nuanced exploration underscores the importance of understanding and managing the dynamic challenges introduced by floating wind technology.
As the industry pioneers new frontiers, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between recognizing potential hazards and leveraging emerging maintenance strategies to optimize safety and operational efficiency in the evolving landscape of floating wind energy.
