Wind Energy: Electrical

Workers in wind farms are potentially exposed to a variety of serious hazards, such as arc flashes (which include arc flash burn and blast hazards), electric shock, falls, and thermal burn hazards that can cause injury and death. Wind farm employers are covered by the Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards and, therefore, are required to implement the safe work practices and worker training requirements of OSHA's Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution standard, 29 CFR 1910.269.

Workers need to pay attention to overhead power lines at wind farms. The hazard is from using tools and equipment that can contact power lines and workers must stay at least 10 feet away from them, because they carry extremely high voltage. Fatal electrocution is the main hazard, but burns and falls from elevations can occur at the wind farms. Some resources on electrical hazards are provided below:

• Work Hazards and Safety Practices in the Electric Power Industry

• OSHA Assistance for the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industry

• NIOSH’s Electical Safety Topics Page