UK - BWEA endorses introduction of wind turbine safety rules

BWEA today is pleased to give its official sanction to a new set of guidelines for the UK wind industry. The Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR) specify actions and procedures which have to be followed in order that persons working on wind turbines are safeguarded from inherent dangers that exist from the installed electrical and mechanical equipment in wind turbines. Developed jointly by owners and manufacturers, the WTSR have now been successfully trialled and are therefore endorsed by BWEA as representing industry best practice for operational wind farms, an endorsement which is echoed by the Health and Safety Executive:

“The HSE prefers industry to be self regulating. The HSE has recognised that the wind energy industry has been proactive by investing a great deal of effort in producing the Wind Turbine Safety Rules. The HSE therefore encourages all persons working in the wind energy industry to use these rules wisely as part of their safe systems of work.” - Dave Chaplin, HM Inspector Of Health and Safety

The need for change has been driven by representatives from E.ON UK, npower, Scottish Power, Renewable Energy Systems (RES), Vestas and Siemens. Faced with a huge growth in wind generation capacity, these companies have recognised the need for an auditable standard consistent across the UK. The introduction of WTSR provides a single way of managing operational safety, giving owners and wind turbine maintenance service providers a consistent and auditable process across their UK portfolios. It is a fine example of how key members of BWEA have been working together for the good of the industry and represents a world first in the field of operational safety in wind turbines:

"npower renewables is delighted to be involved at the forefront of developing a common industry standard for improving best practice and consistency in Health and Safety throughout the wind industry. A common goal for both owners and manufacturers has been achieved in the development of the Wind Turbine Safety Rules." - Kevin McCullough, Managing Director, npower renewables

“From our experience to date, the Wind Turbine Safety Rules, when used as part of an overall work control system have provided the necessary robust controls for ensuring ‘safety from the system’ for wind turbines. Just as importantly, this is demonstrable through inspection and audit.” - David Morrison, ScottishPower Energy Wholesale - Renewables and Gas Manager

“E.ON UK is pleased to have been involved in leading the development of the Wind Turbine Safety Rules. Their introduction represents a major step forward to further secure higher standards of H&S within the UK wind industry. The WTSR will be implemented at all E.ON wind farms during 2006.” - Jason Scagell
Director, E.ON Renewables

“RES is proud to be one of the founding members developing the new safety rules. They provide the next step forward in our quest to ensure ever safer wind farm operations.” - Stephen Balint, Director of RES-Gen

The WTSR are currently being implemented in the UK by all the member companies listed above, and BWEA has established a group to review the implementation and recommend improvements based on operating experience, and it is intended that the WTSR will become mandatory. An implementation support package consisting of the WTSR, support and guidance documents is now available on the BWEA website to assist members to introduce WTSR in their companies, see www.bwea.com/safety/safety_rules.html.