RenewableUK Health & Safety Statement: Wind Energy & Public Safety
1.
Who is responsible for protecting the public?
Health and safety law is very clear. Anyone who creates a health and safety risk is
responsible for managing that risk. Therefore anyone who designs, install, operates or
maintains a wind turbine is responsible for ensuring that robust health and safety standards
are being met. In many cases the legislation imposes strict liability on duty holders to
achieve the safety standards required. For turbines installed on domestic premises health
and safety law may not apply to the owner – but invariably other parties involved (e.g. the
party who supplied, installed or maintains the turbine) will have explicit safety
responsibilities.
2.
Are wind turbines safe?
Yes. Properly designed and maintained wind turbines are a safe technology. It is accepted
that wind technology can fail – as with all technology. However our own data and the
statistics held by the HSE show that no member of the public has ever been injured by a
wind turbine. A report to the HSE Board in 2012 (Paper HSE/12/48 – paragraph 14) did not
highlight any underlying levels of serious injury or harm for persons at work in the wind
sector. In addition findings of an independent report commissioned by the HSE made a clear
statement and conclusion that the safety risk associated with wind turbines is well below all
other comparable societal risks1.
3.
Who regulates public safety?
In most cases the HSE is responsible for public safety issues. They are the responsible
enforcement authority for health and safety during the construction and operation of all
turbines and wind farms involving any work undertaking. The HSE have extensive
enforcement and investigation powers that enables them to intervene should they have any
serious health and safety concerns. In a few cases (typically when dealing with micro
turbines on domestic premises) local authorities or Trading Standards may be the
responsible regulator. Both have similar powers to the HSE. As a simple guide turbines
supplied, installed or operated in any work related context the HSE is likely to be the lead
regulator. In all other situations the Local Authority, typically via Trading Standards, would be
the default regulator.
1
HSE-commissioned Report on the estimation of the risk and harm to persons in the vicinity of wind turbines (2011).
4.
Are separation distances needed on public safety grounds?
No. There is no risk based evidence to support the imposition of a safety separation distance
for any wind turbine. However in order to maintain continuity of the accepted planning
regime, a separation distance of at least the equivalent to the turbine height (from the base
of the tower to the tip of the blade) plus 10% from occupied buildings is regarded as a safe
and sensible position to adopt. The only situations which may warrant the introduction of an
increased separation distance would be by voluntary agreement with the planning authority
or in exceptional circumstances due to the proximity to safety critical operations or key
infrastructure. In every case any alteration to separation distances would need to be justified
by a suitable and effective risk assessment process. In practice when other project specific
requirements are taken into account an effective separation distance often well beyond the
“tip height +10%” will invariably be achieved. As a matter of industry and safety best
practice, design and safety decisions are best taken as early as practicable in the planning
process.
5.
What laws and standards apply?
There are too many too describe in full here. All wind turbines are subject to mandatory
health and safety legislation. These place responsibilities on a range of duty holders (e.g.
designers, manufacturers, suppliers, planners, developers and owners) to prevent and
reduce safety risks so far as reasonably practicable. Full details are set out the legislation
and duties placed on duty holders are available in full via the HSE website.
All new wind turbines are designed to established British, European and International
Standards as appropriate to the market region. No turbine can be placed onto the market
unless full consideration has been given to the essential health and safety requirements. In
Europe, compliance with European Directives is normally through the standards route to
compliance often supported by a robust certification process. Although a large number of
standards apply covering different aspects of a wind turbine system of particular note are BS
EN 61400-1 and BS EN 61400-2 turbines. In addition the Microgeneration Certification
Scheme (MCS) sets out additional requirements to enable small and micro wind turbine
safety standards to be achieved.
6.
Isn’t other energy technology safer?
The safety of workers and the public goes hand in glove with a commitment to generating
clean, efficient and safe energy. While we are confident in the safety of our technology – it is
difficult to give a simple answer – not least because reliable data does not exist in a format
to make simple comparisons. However as a responsible sector our primary focus is on
delivering a safe and secure technology. While we are going through a major rebalancing of
the energy mix in the UK care should be taken when looking at the safety of a technology in
isolation. When judging the health & safety of wind this should be set along the safety and
health risks that arise from other forms energy generation where the health risks can be far
reaching (e.g. fossil fuels), the risks unknown (e.g. shale gas) or the perceived catastrophic
risk potential untenable (e.g. nuclear). Our clear assessment is that wind energy is the
healthiest and safest option available.