It would be easy to assume that offshore wind farms are simpler than other types of offshore installation - 'there might be a fair bit of working at height but otherwise there's nothing too complex going on from a permit to work standpoint '
This would be a mistaken assumption - every stage of an offshore wind farm's life brings its own set of complexities and hazards which need to be effectively managed. We're going to look at some of the situations where a permit to work system is vital:
Installation Phase
Transportation: A Hot Work Permit is required if any welding, cutting, or grinding is needed during the loading or offloading of equipment. Additionally, a Lifting Permit could be issued for the safe handling of heavy components.
Foundation Installation:
- Excavation Permit: Crucial if any dredging or seabed excavation is needed for foundation placement.
- Work at Height Permit: Necessary if personnel need to access elevated platforms or structures during foundation installation (e.g., jacking up structures).
- Confined Space Entry Permit: If work is conducted within a confined space like a pile driving template, this permit should ensure proper ventilation and rescue procedures are implemented.
Turbine Assembly and Installation:
- Work at Height Permit: This permit is vital for personnel working on elevated platforms during turbine assembly, including installing tower sections and rotor blades.
- Lifting Permit: As with heavy equipment transportation, a lifting permit would be required for safely lifting and positioning turbine components.
- Electrical Permit: When connecting electrical components or working near energised systems, this permit ensures proper isolation and grounding procedures are followed.
Electrical Grid Connection:
- Electrical Permit: This permit would be essential for all work involving electrical infrastructure, including cable installation, connection to substations, and system energisation. It emphasises safe isolation procedures and ensures work is conducted by authorised personnel.
Maintenance Phase
Routine Inspections: Depending on the specific inspection methods used, different permits might be needed:
- Work at Height Permit: If personnel need access to elevated areas for visual inspections.
- Hot Work Permit: If any welding, cutting, or grinding is required during inspections.
Component Replacement: The type of permit would depend on the specific component being replaced:
- Hot Work Permit: Similar to inspections, this permit would be required for welding, cutting, or grinding during component replacement.
- Lifting Permit: For safe lifting and positioning of replacement components, this permit would be crucial.
- Confined Space Entry Permit: Replacing components within a confined space (e.g., the nacelle) would require this permit
Repair Work: The permit type would depend on the nature of the repair:
- Hot Work Permit: If welding, cutting, or grinding is involved, this permit is essential.
- Confined Space Entry Permit: Repairs within confined spaces would require this permit.
- Electrical Permit: When working on or near electrical components during repairs, this permit ensures proper safety procedures are followed.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
- Work at Height Permit: If cleaning requires personnel to access elevated areas on the turbine, this permit would be needed.
- Confined Space Entry Permit: Cleaning within a confined space like the nacelle would require this permit for safe entry and exit procedures.
Emergency Response:
- A separate Emergency Response Permit could be implemented to outline specific protocols and procedures for different emergency situations. This permit would authorise personnel to perform critical actions during emergencies, such as evacuating personnel or restoring power.
Additional Considerations:
- Permit-to-work systems often involve a hierarchy of permits, with a main permit authorising the overall work activity and sub-permits issued for specific tasks within that activity.
- The specific types of permits used and the level of detail within each permit will vary depending on the specific wind farm operator and their established safety procedures.
So to summarise - offshore wind is a hazardous and complex environment with its own unique challenges. By implementing a comprehensive PTW system with appropriate permits for each operation, offshore wind farm operators can significantly enhance safety and minimise the risk of accidents during installation, maintenance, and emergency response situations.