National Academies Press: OpenBook
Page i
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

                                                                                SPECIAL
                                                                                REPORT
                                                                      310

Worker Health and
Safety on Offshore
           Wind Farms

image

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
                                                      OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Page ii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

SPECIAL REPORT 310

Worker Health and
Safety on Offshore
Wind Farms

Committee on Offshore
Wind Farm Worker Safety

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Transportation Research Board

Washington, D.C.

2013

www.TRB.org

Page iii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

MARINE BOARD

Chair*: Michael S. Bruno, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey

Chair**: Thomas M. Leschine, University of Washington, Seattle

Vice Chair: James C. Card (Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, retired), Maritime Consultant, The Woodlands, Texas

Steven R. Barnum, Hydrographic Consultation Services, Suffolk, Virginia

Jerry A. Bridges, Bridges Group International, LLC

Mary R. Brooks, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Stephen M. Carmel, Maersk Line Limited, Norfolk, Virginia

Edward N. Comstock, Raytheon Company, Sudbury, Massachusetts

Elmer P. (Bud) Danenberger III,** Consultant, Reston, Virginia

Jeanne M. Grasso,** Blank Rome LLP, Washington, D.C.

Stephan T. Grilli, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett

Douglas J. Grubbs, Crescent River Port Pilots Association, Metairie, Louisiana

John M. Holmes, Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, California

Donald Liu, NAE, Marine Consultant, Willis, Texas

Richard S. Mercier, Texas A&M University, College Station

Edmond J. Moran, Jr., Moran Towing Corporation, New Canaan, Connecticut

Ali Mosleh, University of Maryland, College Park

George Berryman Newton, Jr., U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts

Karlene H. Roberts, University of California, Berkeley (Emerita)

Peter K. Velez, Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc., Houston, Texas

John William Waggoner, HMS Global Maritime, New Albany, Indiana

*Term of service completed October 2012.

**Beginning November 2012.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Chair: Deborah H. Butler, Executive Vice President, Planning, and CIO, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk, Virginia

Vice Chair: Kirk T. Steudle, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation, Lansing

Division Chair for NRC Oversight: Susan Hanson, Distinguished University Professor Emerita, School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts

Executive Director: Robert E. Skinner, Jr., Transportation Research Board

Page iv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

Transportation Research Board Special Report 310

Subscriber Categories
Safety and human factors, marine transportation

Transportation Research Board publications are available by ordering individual publications directly from the TRB Business Office, through the Internet at www.TRB.org or national-academies.org/trb, or by annual subscription through organizational or individual affiliation with TRB. Affiliates and library subscribers are eligible for substantial discounts. For further information, contact the Transportation Research Board Business Office, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (telephone 202-334-3213; fax 202-334-2519; or e-mail TRBsales@nas.edu).

Copyright 2013 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to the procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

This study was sponsored by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Cover photograph: Offshore Wind Services B.V., managed by Workships Contractors B.V. Used with permission.

Typesetting by Circle Graphics.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

National Research Council (U.S.). Transportation Research Board. Committee on Offshore Wind Farm Worker Safety, author.

  Worker health and safety on offshore wind farms / Committee on Offshore Wind Farm Worker Safety.

  pages cm — (Transportation research board special report; 310)

  ISBN 978-0-309-26326-9

 1. Offshore wind power plants—Employees—Health and hygiene—United States.

2. Offshore wind power plants—United States—Safety measures. 3. Offshore wind power plants—Safety regulations—United States. I. National Research Council (U.S.). Transportation Research Board. II. Title. III. Series: Special report (National Research Council (U.S.). Transportation Research Board); 310.

  TK1541.N38 2013

  363.11'933392097309168—dc23

2013016731

Page v
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. On the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, on its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

The Transportation Research Board is one of six major divisions of the National Research Council. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange, conducted within a setting that is objective, interdisciplinary, and multimodal. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 7,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation. www.TRB.org

www.national-academies.org

Page vi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Page vii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

Committee on Offshore Wind Farm Worker Safety

James C. Card, United States Coast Guard (retired), The Woodlands, Texas, Chair

Thomas J. Lentz, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio

Gerald E. Miller, G. E. Miller and Associates, Tucson, Arizona

Edmond J. Moran, Jr., Moran Towing Corporation, New Canaan, Connecticut

Jakob Nielsen, Siemens Energy Transmission, Hamburg, Germany

James W. Platner, Center to Protect Workers’ Rights—Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland

Jennifer L. Schneider, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York

Robert E. Sheppard, Energo Engineering, Houston, Texas

Michael A. Silverstein, University of Washington School of Public Health, Olympia

Brian Walencik, GE Power and Water, Schenectady, New York

David H. Wegman, University of Massachusetts, Lowell (emeritus), Auburndale, Massachusetts

Transportation Research Board Staff

Mark S. Hutchins, Study Director

Page viii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Page ix
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

Preface

In April 2011, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) had just received the results of a study by the Marine Board of the National Research Council (NRC) focusing on the structural safety of offshore wind turbines (see TRB 2011). By that time, the first offshore wind farms in the United States had been planned for areas along the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Great Lakes. Therefore, BOEMRE felt a sense of urgency in meeting its mandate for enhancing and enforcing safety regulations. The agency’s perception was that offshore wind farms would soon be under construction; that skilled workers would be required to build, operate, and repair them; and that health and safety rules would need to be in place to protect the workers. The rules governing this work would need to be equivalent to those regulating work on land-based wind farms and offshore oil and gas platforms.

By requiring an operator to submit a description of a safety management system (SMS), the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)—formerly BOEMRE—has preempted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from enforcing its health and safety regulations. Although BOEM has jurisdiction over regulating all renewable energy development activities on the outer continental shelf (OCS) and requires an SMS, the agency recognized that the requirements are vague and need updating. In August 2011, BOEMRE (now BOEM) requested that the Marine Board conduct a study to assess the agency’s approach for regulating the health and safety of wind farm workers on the OCS.

Appointed by NRC, the study committee consists of 11 members from industry, academia, and government with expertise in occupa-

Page x
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

tional health and safety, safety management, epidemiology and industrial hygiene, human factors, offshore engineering and construction, and wind energy development. Biographical sketches of the committee members appear at the end of this report. The committee met five times over a 12-month period and carefully examined the hazards associated with all aspects of offshore wind farm construction, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning. The committee compared the hazards of offshore oil and gas operations with those of offshore wind farm operations, examined jurisdictional responsibility, and investigated the role of SMSs in addressing the hazards confronting workers on offshore wind farms.

In approaching its charge, the committee initially needed to address the meaning of such terms as “hazard” and “risk,” which the statement of task (see Box 1-2) used inconsistently. In an effort to clarify this situation, the committee first obtained insight from the occupational safety and health field, where a “hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work.”1 The committee also recognized that the definition of risk varies among disciplines; however, the committee ultimately adopted the concept of risk from the engineering discipline that views workplace risk as the product of the probability and the consequence of a hazardous event.

During its deliberations, the committee identified hazards and recognized existing regulations, standards, and best practices (listed in Table 4-1) that could address each hazard. Some specific issues provided as examples in the statement of task—such as elevators in a marine environment and the inclusion of fire suppression systems—were suggested before the committee had a chance to identify the major safety issues involving offshore wind personnel. While these issues are a concern, they are not discussed in as much detail as other hazards. For example, the committee learned that elevators or service lifts may be less exposed to the corrosive marine environment and may present less of a maintenance hazard than previously thought. Also, the committee recognized that offshore wind turbines are usually unmanned and may require a

_____________

1 See the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_risk.html).

Page xi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

design approach to firefighting different from that of offshore oil platforms. As such, mandating active (or installed) fire suppression systems in offshore wind turbines may not be necessary and, in fact, may increase the number of maintenance trips that technicians must take to a turbine.

The committee’s review of DOI’s current regulatory frameworks for offshore worker health and safety revealed that a safety and environmental management system (SEMS) and an SMS are similar but not interchangeable. Both focus on reducing the risk of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by using management systems like those found in health and safety standards [for example, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z10] and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality and environmental management programs (see the ISO 9000 series and the ISO 14000 series). SEMS, as defined in American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 75 (API RP 75), unlike SMS, emphasizes the management of environmental impacts. The committee examined the elements of many available SMS standards, including applicable aspects of SEMS, to determine which could be used as a model for BOEM’s SMS.

The recently completed Marine Board study (see TRB 2012) on assessing the effectiveness of a SEMS aided the committee in understanding the role and scope of an SMS. European nations have developed dozens of offshore wind farms over the past 15 years, and the committee looked to their experience for health and safety guidance. The report that follows represents the consensus opinions of the committee members and presents the committee’s findings and recommendations on the jurisdictional issues involved in offshore wind farm development and the adequacy of current DOI health and safety regulations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The committee acknowledges John Cushing, Timothy Steffek, Zachary Clement, Lori Medley, and the other staff members of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and BOEM who provided insight into the responsibilities and workings of the two agencies and its predecessors, BOEMRE and the Minerals Management Service. The work of the committee was facilitated by the thoughtful advice and background information provided by all of the presenters at its meetings,

Page xii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

other individuals with relevant technical expertise, and government and industry officials who were consulted during the course of the study.

The committee received presentations and briefings from the following individuals:

•   Robert LaBelle, Acting Deputy Director, BSEE, DOI;

•   John Cushing, Senior Technical Advisor, BSEE, DOI;

•   Dean McKenzie, Safety and Health Specialist, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor (committee liaison);

•   Paul Shannon, Dam Safety Branch Chief, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

•   James D. Lawrence, Offshore Specialist, United States Coast Guard (USCG);

•   Michele Mihelic, Manager, Labor, Health, and Safety Policy, American Wind Energy Association;

•   Richard Wright, Chief, Safety and Occupational Health, United States Army Corps of Engineers;

•   Ronald Beck, Chief, Energy and Facilities Branch, First Coast Guard District, USCG;

•   Daniel Hubbard, USCG;

•   Jakob Nielsen, Head of Environment, Health, and Safety Offshore, Siemens Energy Transmission (committee member);

•   Holly Hopkins, Senior Policy Advisor, API;

•   Brian Walencik, Environment, Health, and Safety Leader for Renewable Energy, GE Power and Water (committee member);

•   Michael A. Silverstein, Assistant Director for Industrial Safety and Health (retired), Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (committee member);

•   Thomas L. Sutton, Associate Director of the Wind Energy Center, Kalamazoo Valley Community College;

•   Jerome F. Kaiser, Technician and Environment, Health, and Safety Specialist, GE Power and Water;

•   Nathan A. McMillin, Environment, Health, and Safety Manager, GE Power and Water;

•   John E. Chamberlin, Environment, Health, and Safety Manager, Siemens Wind Power;

•   Casper Kvitzau, Commercial Head of Offshore Projects in the Americas, Siemens Energy;

Page xiii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

•   Sean R. Grier, Senior Electrical Engineer, Duke Energy;

•   Jeff Moser, Construction Division Safety Manager, Weeks Marine;

•   Kevin Pearce, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Development, Arcadia Windpower;

•   Kevin McSweeney, Manager, Safety and Human Factors Group, ABS Corporate Technology;

•   Edmond J. Moran, Jr., Senior Vice President, Moran Towing Corporation (committee member); and

•   Gerald E. Miller, G. E. Miller and Associates (committee member).

This study was performed under the overall supervision of Stephen R. Godwin, Director, Studies and Special Programs, Transportation Research Board (TRB). The committee gratefully acknowledges the work and support of Mark S. Hutchins, who served as study director and assisted the committee in the preparation of its report. The committee also acknowledges the work and support of Suzanne B. Schneider, Associate Executive Director of TRB, who managed the review process; Norman Solomon, who edited the report; Janet M. McNaughton, who handled the editorial production; Juanita L. Green, who managed the production; Jennifer J. Weeks, who prepared the manuscript for prepublication web posting; Jennifer Correro, who proofread the typeset pages; and Javy Awan, Director of Publications, under whose super vision the report was prepared for publication. Amelia Mathis, Mai Q. Le, and Claudia Sauls arranged meetings and provided administrative support to the committee. The committee extends its sincere gratitude to the diligent and capable staff of the National Academies. Without their efforts and support, producing the report would not have been possible.

This report was reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by NRC’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process.

The committee thanks the following individuals for their review of this report: Kenneth Arnold, K. Arnold Consulting, Inc., Houston, Texas;

Page xiv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

Rear Admiral Millard S. Firebaugh (U.S. Navy, retired), University of Maryland, College Park; Ralph Marshall, ExxonMobil; Roger L. McCarthy, McCarthy Engineering, Palo Alto, California; Melissa A. McDiarmid, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Kevin P. McSweeney, ABS Corporate Technology, Houston, Texas; Brian Naughton, New West Technologies, LLC, Washington, D.C.; John S. Spencer, National Transportation Safety Board (retired), Conroe, Texas; and David J. Wisch, Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, Texas.

Although these reviewers provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the committee’s findings or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review was overseen by Robert A. Frosch, Harvard University, and by Susan Hanson, Clark University. Appointed by NRC, they were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

James C. Card, Chair
Committee on Offshore Wind Farm Worker Safety

REFERENCES

Abbreviation

TRB    Transportation Research Board

TRB. 2011. Special Report 305: Structural Integrity of Offshore Wind Turbines: Oversight of Design, Fabrication, and Installation. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/165263.aspx.

TRB. 2012. Special Report 309: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Systems. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/167249.aspx.

Page xv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronyms and abbreviations used in the report are listed below.

ABS

American Bureau of Shipping

ACP

Alternative Compliance Program

ADCI

Association of Diving Contractors International, Inc.

AIHA

American Industrial Hygiene Association

ALARP

as low as reasonably practicable

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

API

American Petroleum Institute

ASSE

American Society of Safety Engineers

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials (now known as ASTM International)

AWEA

American Wind Energy Association

BAST

best available and safest technology

BLS

Bureau of Labor Statistics

BOEM

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (after October 1, 2011)

BOEMRE

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (May 19, 2010, to October 1, 2011)

BSEE

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (after October 1, 2011)

BWEA

British Wind Energy Association (RenewableUK since 2004)

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

COP

construction and operations plan

CVA

certified verification agent

CZMA

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972

Page xvi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
DNV

Det Norske Veritas

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy

DOI

U.S. Department of the Interior

EA

environmental assessment

EAP

emergency action plan

EEP

emergency evacuation plan

EIS

environmental impact statement

EPAct

Energy Policy Act of 2005

EPRI

Electric Power Research Institute

ERCoP

emergency response cooperation plan

ERP

emergency response plan

ESP

electric service platform

EWEA

European Wind Energy Association

FDR

facility design report

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FIR

fabrication and installation report

FR

Federal Register

GAP

general activities plan

GL

Germanischer Lloyd

GOM

Gulf of Mexico

GW

gigawatts

GWEC

Global Wind Energy Council

GWO

Global Wind Organisation

HFE

human factors engineering

HSE

Health and Safety Executive (United Kingdom)

IEC

International Electrotechnical Commission

ILO

International Labour Organization

IMCA

International Marine Contractors Association

IMO

International Maritime Organization

INC

incident of noncompliance

ISM

International Safety Management

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

KPI

key performance indicator

MCA

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

MMS

Minerals Management Service (before May 19, 2010)

MOA

memorandum of agreement

Page xvii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
MOC

management of change

MOU

memorandum of understanding

MW

megawatts

NAE

National Academy of Engineering

NAICS

North American Industry Classification System

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act

NFPA

National Fire Protection Association

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NOTLC

National Offshore Training and Learning Center

NRC

National Research Council

NREL

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NTL

notice to lessees

NVIC

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular

OCS

outer continental shelf

OCSLA

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953

OHSAS

Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series

ONRR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue (collection arm of former MMS, after October 1, 2010)

OORP

Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs

OREI

offshore renewable energy installation

OREP

Office of Renewable Energy Programs

ORM

operational risk management

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OWA

offshore wind accelerator

PINC

potential incident of noncompliance

PPE

personal protective equipment

PSM

process safety management

PtD

prevention through design

RP

Recommended Practice

RUK

RenewableUK (BWEA before 2004)

SAP

site assessment plan

SCADA

supervisory control and data acquisition

SEMP

safety and environmental management program

SEMS

safety and environmental management system

SIMOPS

simultaneous operations

SMS

safety management system

Page xviii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
SOLAS

Safety of Life at Sea

TA&R

Technology Assessment and Research program

TRB

Transportation Research Board

TSMS

towing safety management system

USACE

United States Army Corps of Engineers

USCG

United States Coast Guard

USCOP

United States Commission on Ocean Policy

USDON

U.S. Department of the Navy

Z-PINC

personal safety potential incident of noncompliance

Page i
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R1
Page ii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R2
Page iii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R3
Page iv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R4
Page v
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R5
Page vi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R6
Page vii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R7
Page viii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R8
Page ix
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R9
Page x
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R10
Page xi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R11
Page xii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R12
Page xiii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R13
Page xiv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R14
Page xv
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R15
Page xvi
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R16
Page xvii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R17
Page xviii
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R18
Page xix
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R19
Page xx
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board. 2013. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18327.
×
Page R20
Next: Executive Summary »
Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms - Special Report 310 Get This Book
×
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

The United States holds a large amount of untapped wind energy, both land-based and offshore. The strongest and most consistent winds are either offshore or in rural areas, far from population centers that could benefit from the electricity produced. As of December 31, 2012, the United States had more than 60,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity—second only to China—all of it from land-based wind farms. Offshore wind development would supply energy to nearby population centers, especially on the East Coast. Yet the United States has no offshore turbines installed; many European nations have developed dozens of offshore wind farms over the past 15 years.

Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which authorized the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDOI) to regulate renewable energy sources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). Initially, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) had responsibility for essential regulations and for implementing this new authority, in addition to regulating oil and gas development. In April 2010, MMS was reorganized (see Chapter 3), and previously coexisting functions were separated: resource development and energy management are now administered by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and health, safety, and environmental enforcement for offshore oil and gas is now administered by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The regulation of renewable energy is an exception to this organizational structure. USDOI issued its final regulations in 30 CFR 585, which gave BOEM authority to regulate all renewable energy development activities on the OCS. The agency still needed to provide guidance in many areas of offshore wind development, including ensuring the health and safety of offshore wind workers.

In August 2011, USDOI requested that the Marine Board of the National Research Council assess its approach for regulating the health and safety of wind farm workers on the OCS. Worker Health and Safety on Offshore Wind Farms reviews the following statements of task:

- Identify unique risks to worker health and safety on wind farms, as compared with oil and gas operations on the OCS;

- Identify any gaps or overlaps in jurisdictional authority; and

- Evaluate the adequacy of existing regulations and recommend enhancements to regulations for worker health and safety on OCS wind farms.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!