Wind Today - Q1 2009 - (Page 20)

T echnical Severe Weather Preparation to Protect Wind Farm Personnel and Equipment The following article is based on a presentation given by Michael Kelley, corporate environmental health and safety manager, Upwind Solutions, Medford, OR (541-608-0755), at AWEA’s Health & Safety Workshop October 29-30, 2008, in Denver, CO. In the United States and Canada, severe weather comes in many forms. Floods, hail storms, ice storms, lightning, dust/sand storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme cold weather, and extreme hot weather can all endanger wind farm personnel and equipment. Each kind of severe weather event generates unique situations that require plans of action to protect those who are at risk. An understanding of a wind farm site, its preparedness for various weather events, and available emergency services can help address weather-related emergencies. Due diligence in this area during site planning starts with studying weather patterns to allow planners to determine necessary training and equipment. It is also important to meet with local fire and sheriffs’ departments, emergency medical services, and emergency management directors to Fog limits visibility at the Prince Wind Farm at Sault Ste. Marie, ON gain insight into previous weatherrelated emergencies, allowing for better preparation for future events. Emergency Action Plan Emergency Action Plan Every wind farm should have its own emergency action plan. The plan should include the following: • Reciprocity agreements. There should be an arrangement with other wind farm owners/operators and with local rescue services for support and assistance during a severe weather event. • Call list. Numbers for local emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance, as well as company/owner contacts should be readily available. This list should include guidelines regarding when these entities should be called, and who should call them. • Forecasting ability. Wind farms need a reliable system to forecast and monitor weather situations. • Training. All employees should participate in site-specific preparedness training. Personnel in tornado- or thunderstorm-prone locales need to know what to do if they find themselves caught in a nacelle when a storm blows in. (Get out!) 20 Response No. 201 WIND TODA Y First Quarter 2009 http://www.ziegler-industries.com http://www.ziegler-industries.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wind Today - Q1 2009

Wind Today - Q1 2009 Contents U.S. Installed Wind Energy Capacity Canada’s Installed Wind Energy Capacity Global Wind Energy Exceeds 120 Gigawatts Alta Mesa Wind Farm Severe Weather Preparation to Protect Wind Farm Personnel and Equipment Camp Grove Wind Farm Denise Bode Green Collar Jobs Forecast Robert Hornung The U.S. Financial Landscape and Its Impact on Asset Management WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition O&M Strategies to Optimize Wind Farm Performance Update: Buffalo Gap AWEA Safety Committee Update AWEA Safety Committee Begins Wind Farm Safety Dialogue with OSHA $787 Billion Economic Stimulus Package Approved MMS Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for Cape Wind Project Wind Energy for a New Era Wind Farm Construction Update A Look at Regional Entities Tribal Wind Development WT News: United States WT News: Canada WT News: Supplier Glossary Independent System Operators Wind Resource Maps Adarsh Mehta, GDF Suez Energy North America Josh Magee, Emerging Energy Research Nordic Windpower Imperial Crane Signal Wind Energy Stevenson Crane Ultieg Engineers Industry Progress: Canadian Wind Farms Completed & Under Construction U.S. Wind Farms Completed U.S. Wind Farms Under Construction Renewable Portfolio Standards and Initiatives Calendar Product Surveys Ad Index

Wind Today - Q1 2009

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