Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Crane and Hoist Safety
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Cranes are often used during the installation and maintenance of solar panels,
but fatalities and serious injuries can occur if the cranes are not inspected and
used properly. Many fatalities can occur when the crane boom, load line, or load
contacts power lines and shorts electricity to ground. Other incidents happen when
workers are struck by the load, are caught inside the swing radius, or fail to assem-
ble or disassemble the crane properly. There are significant safety issues to be
considered, both for the operators of the diverse “lifting” devices and for workers
who work near them. See OSHA's general industry standards 29 CFR 1910.179 and
29 CFR 1910.180 and construction standard 19 CFR 1926.1417 for specific crane
requirements.
Electrical Safety
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Solar energy workers are potentially exposed to a variety of serious electrical haz-
ards, such as arc flashes (which include arc flash burn and blast hazards), electrical
shock, falls, and thermal burn hazards that can cause injury and death. Workers
may be exposed to electric shocks and burns when hooking up the solar panels to
an electric circuit. Because solar panels generate electricity, employers in the solar
energy sector may be covered by the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and
Distribution standard (29 CFR 1910.269) and, therefore, may be required to imple-
ment the safe work practices and worker training requirements of the standard.
Typically, solar panel installations are covered by OSHA Subpart S standards in part
1910, if they are not connected to distribution systems (i.e., a system that is supplying
power to a town or more buildings) or if they are only emergency or standby nature.
If solar panels supply power to a distribution system, then the provisions contained
in 29 CFR 1910.269 will apply. Workers must pay attention to overhead power lines
and 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 elevators can occur
while installing solar panels. Another hazard is from using tools and equipment that
can contact power lines.
Thermal Stress
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Solar energy workers often work in very hot weather where hazards include dehydra-
tion, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death. Employers should monitor employees,
and workers should be trained to identify and report early symptoms of any heat-
related illness. Workers may also be exposed to extreme cold weather conditions and
should be protected from such conditions.
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Adapted from OSHA's
Green Job Hazards: Solar Energy—Crane and Hoist Safety
,
https://www.osha.
†
Adapted from OSHA's
Green Job Hazards: Solar Energy—Electrical
,
http://www.osha.gov/dep/
‡
Adapted from OSHA's
Green Job Hazards Solar Energy—Heat/Cold Stress,
http://www.osha.gov/
