WIND TURBINE SAFETY RULES

In the UK, 2007 saw the widespread introduction of the renewableUK (BWEA) Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR) by the large utilities. These rules were developed by the industry through the mechanism of renewableUK to set a health and safety benchmark for turbine maintenance which can be viewed as best practice. By implementing these rules, owners know they are doing all that is reasonably practicable to manage the safety of technicians while working on turbines on site.

The WTSR identify key persons with responsibilities - included is the role of Operational Controller, responsible for the wind turbine when it is operational and for ensuring it is handed over for maintenance to the Approved Technician who is aware of the H&S documents needed to perform the task. This simple requirement is relatively easy for a utility to manage through a central control room. However, smaller developers struggle to provide an adequate control service which covers the wind farm working day which can begin at 6am and end at 10pm.