Occupational safety during the assembly, maintenance, and servicing of wind turbines

The following security aspects must be taken into consideration when such work is performed in addition to the various regulations and laws applicable in Germany (excerpts of which are attached) and abroad. The aspects presented are not intended to be exhausted.

A. General occupational safety requirements for work on wind turbines:

  1. Everyone who requires personal safety equipment to prevent them from falling must be informed of this requirement. In addition, they must also receive instructions about proper conduct on and within wind turbines and about rescue procedures and equipment. These instructions must be documented.
  2. Furthermore, everyone who performs work on wind turbines must be properly instructed about all of the dangers and risks that can occur when their work is being performed or as a result of their work, such as the risks involved in working with electricity, working with special tools (such as hydraulic screwdrivers, special measurement equipment, etc.), work with certain materials (such as toxic materials, particles, etc.), or in any special activities that are not part of standard procedure or that have to be repeated. The contractor must perform a risk analysis to determine the dangers and risks and implement the protective measures required.
  3. An adequate number of people who can administer first aid must be on hand when work is being performed. Both of the people who perform maintenance work, which generally requires two technicians, must be trained in first aid. At construction sites, at least two people must have such training.  
  4. Proper communication must be provided in all activities that require it.
  5. All of the equipment needed to perform tasks -- such as personal safety equipment, noise protection, protective gloves, protective glasses, rescue equipment, breathing masks, etc. -- must be provided before work has begun. The contractor must perform risk analyses to determine which equipment is required for which activities for all of the tasks to be performed and implement the protective safety measures determined.
  6. Everyone who performs tasks on / within a wind turbine must be trained and instructed for the tasks to prevent, for instance, mechanics from working on switching equipment or electrical systems.
  7. An expert must check the rescue equipment and personal safety equipment once a year to prevent falling.
  8. All of the security aspects of a wind turbines -- such as ladders, all protection systems, elevators, electric hoists, pulleys, cranes, any rescue equipment for the wind turbine, personal falling protection equipment, etc. must be inspected by a technical expert or partly by an official expert at least once a year.
  9. An expert must inspect all of the electric tools used at least once a year or in more frequent intervals at construction sites.
  10. If work is done on the hub, the rotor blades, the area of the tower near the rotor blades, etc., the rotor must be mechanically kept still; it does not suffice to simply use the mechanical break when work is being done.
  11. The lighting on the inside and outside of the wind turbines must be appropriate for the tasks.
  12. The clothing worn must be appropriate for the weather conditions in order to protect the wearer from rain, cold, wind, etc.
  13. Operating instructions must be created for all dangerous materials, tools, etc. and upheld whenever work is being performed.
  14. Emergency measures must be specified, for example to rescue personnel, put out fires, etc.

Dennis Strohbach of the German Service Company
Seilpartner GmbH (Berlin) at his work (wind farm Drahnsdorf)
© Paul Langrock (www.unendlich-viel-energie.de)



B. Additional occupational safety aspects during assembly at construction sites:

  1. All of the requirements described under A. General occupational safety requirements for work on wind turbines must be met.
  2. The owner of the construction site must appoint a safety coordinator before construction begins because this work is dangerous. This person will coordinate all activities -- such as access roads, cabling, assembly, etc. -- create a safety and health plan, and inspect the construction site regularly in order to prevent accidents from happening when various tasks are being performed simultaneously.
  3. General requirements on construction sites when wind turbines are being set up and work is being done with cranes: obligation to wear helmets and protective shoes of class S3 (protective flap and impenetrable sole). These procedures are mandatory for everyone on the site, including those not directly involved in construction (owner of the farm, local authorities, suppliers, visitors, etc.)
  4. In general, all of the parties directly involved (crane company, suppliers, mechanics, etc.) in the installation of wind turbines must take part in security training before work begins. The training sessions must cover all aspects related to security at construction sites and be documented.
  5. All of the legal requirements for facilities at the construction site -- such as relaxation areas, toilets, showers, certified ladders, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, appropriate signs, etc. -- must be fulfilled.
  6. All of the fastening materials and lifting equipment used -- such as ropes, belts, special lifting equipment for the tower, machine cases, rotor blades, etc. -- must be inspected regularly by experts and certified as appropriate for use before being put into operation. The fastening materials and lifting equipment must be appropriate.
  7. Lighting must also be sufficient outside and inside the wind turbine.


C. Additional aspects of occupational safety for maintenance and servicing of wind turbines:

  1. All of the requirements described under A. General occupational safety requirements for work on wind turbines must be met.
  2. Access roads and paths that lead to wind turbines must be kept navigable, i.e. they should be smooth to prevent people from stumbling, kept free of plants, be sufficiently wide, have railings if there are more than five steps, sloping access ramps should not be too steep, etc.
  3. The fastening materials and lifting equipment must be appropriate for the task.
  4. All of the fastening materials and lifting equipment used -- such as ropes, belts, etc. -- must be inspected regularly by experts and certified as appropriate for use before being put into operation. The fastening materials and lifting equipment must be appropriate.


D. Annex of the various laws, regulations, and ordinances that must be upheld when work is done in or on a wind turbine in Germany (this list is not intended to be exhaustive):

  1. An overview of occupational safety for wind turbines is found in BGI 657, wind turbines.
  2. Occupational Safety Act
  3. Occupational Safety Ordinance
  4. Later Hour Act
  5. Labor Location Ordinance
  6. Construction Site Ordinance
  7. Ordinance on Personal Occupational Safety Equipment
  8. Ordinance on Dangerous Substances / Ordinance on Organic Substances
  9. Employer's liability insurance association, regulations, such as BGV A1, BGV A3,  etc.
  10. Employer's liability insurance association rules, such as BGR B11, BGR 198, BGR 199
  11. Employer's liability insurance association information, such as BGI 826, BGI 594, BGI 608, etc.
  12. German industrial standards, such as DIN 4844-3, DIN 14096 1-3
  13. VDE regulations
  14. 4844-3, DIN 14096 1 – 3
  15. VDE – Vorschriften
  16. prEN 50308 „Wind turbine Safety Requirements for construction, operation and maintenance.“

Dennis Strohbach of the German Service Company Seilpartner GmbH (Berlin)
at his work (wind farm Drahnsdorf) - Preparing for Abseiling to look for the rotor blades
© Paul Langrock (www.unendlich-viel-energie.de)



E. Various links to institutions whose web sites provide information about occupational safety

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and offers mainly German links.

The task force for safety in wind energy consists of occupational safety experts from manufacturers and service providers. Here, the focus is on general occupational safety issues. This task force will answer questions about occupational safety competently at any time.



Michael Huwald
Triowind GmbH,
Husum, Germany
www.Triowind.de