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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
Offshore wind safety performance mixed, while record 61.9 million hours worked
19/6/2024
News
Offshore wind activity amongst members of the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation, based at the Energy Institute, continued to surge in 2023, with a record 61.9 million hours worked, a 39% increase from 2022. However, total reported incidents have risen, according to a new report.
According to the G+ 2023 Incident Data Report, there were 1,679 reported incidents in 2023, a 94% increase from 2022.
With the key safety metrics of Total Recordable Injury Rate and Lost Time Injury Frequency remaining broadly steady compared to previous years, the increase was partly driven by the 17.3 million additional operational hours worked by G+ members in 2023.
Despite the increase in number of incidents overall, the percentage of high-potential incidents more than halved, falling to 11% of total incidents in 2023. Tragically, however, one fatality occurred on an onshore turbine assembly this year, the report notes.
Commenting on the report, David Griffiths, G+ Chair and Head of Health and Safety, SSE Renewables, says: ‘Ensuring our industry continues to build upon the progress made over the past decade requires a sector-wide effort. While a headline increase in total recorded incidents is cause for concern, G+ has redoubled its efforts to engage frontline workers and mitigate hazards on site, and I’m pleased to see a genuine step change in the reporting culture across several key metrics.’
The G+ work programme continues to be led and informed by industry incident data. While lifting operations continue to be the main work process with potential for incidents, vessel operations (including jack-ups and barges) and routine maintenance have become new areas of focus as major projects get underway.
Work continues, in cooperation with the International Marine Contractors Association, to reduce incidents in these areas, following on from previous joint work on boat landings, immersion suits and, more recently, gangway operations.
If you are an EI member, click here to read this week's feature on the challenges and opportunities for UK North Sea offshore wind developments.
