Winds of change

As the world continues to search for answers to the climate crisis, renewable power solutions could become a more important part of our energy network. A new study has reviewed how human factors can play a part in the wind power sector, examining some of the factors that can have an effect on the safety and performance of workers.

The scoping review, published in the journal Ergonomics, focused on wind technicians, who often work in hazardous environments in remote off and onshore locations. It identified 13 factors and 15 sub-factors that affected the workers, which were grouped into four themes: individual factors, crew/team factors, organisational factors and task and environmental factors.

The study found there was a “limited understanding of human factors in the emergent wind energy industry” and highlighted organisational factors as an area that appeared to be “less well understood in the wind context”. It added: “Global wind energy is a crucial component in the endeavour to reach our climate goals. The long-term success of the industry necessitates that protecting the health and safety of technicians remains a top priority, but industry data indicates shortcomings.

“Given the impact that human factors approaches have had on similar sectors as a safety management approach, there are considerable opportunities for lesson sharing across industries.

“Our review developed a preliminary framework of human factors that impact on wind technician safety and performance during operations and maintenance activities, contributing to the early stage of knowledge building regarding human factors in the onshore and offshore wind industry.”

Read the full article here.