Risk Management Of Work At Height In Higher Capacity Wind Turbines

Abstract

The evolution of higher capacity wind turbines has been a remarkable journey marked by technological advancements, engineering innovation, and increased efficiency. Over the years, wind turbine technology has continuously evolved to harness stronger winds, generate more electricity, and meet the growing demand for clean and renewable energy. The global average onshore turbine size, in terms of capacity, increased from 1.64 MW in 2010 to 3.68 MW in 2021 due to improved efficiency and yield of large turbines. Offshore installations usually have significantly larger turbine sizes than onshore installations. While most offshore turbines are larger than 2 MW, some offshore sites have installed turbines larger than 7 MW. The global average offshore wind turbine size in 2021 was 5.88 MW. This capacity enhancement per wind turbine brings increased tower heights, longer blades and increased rotor size resulting in increased generation of wind power. Increase in the size of the wind turbines and its components bring new challenges in transport, construction, operation, maintenance, de-commissioning of turbine and its components.

Wind turbine industry for more than four decades faces the issue of people falling from height leading to injuries of very serious in nature and leading to many fatalities till date. This study discusses the safety management considerations for working at heights and measures that are needed on the wind turbine to manage the work at height risks during its lifetime using innovative technologies which are new and best in the industry.