Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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Direct impacts would include the creation of new jobs for operation and mainte-
nance workers and the associated income and taxes paid. Indirect impacts are those
impacts that would occur as result of the new economic development and would
include things such as new jobs at businesses that support the expanded workforce
or that provide project materials and the associated income and taxes. The number
of project personnel required during the operation and maintenance phase would be
about an order of magnitude less than during construction; therefore, socioeconomic
impacts related directly to jobs would be minimal. Potential impacts on the value
of residential properties located adjacent to an energy transmission project would
continue during this phase.
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ustiCe
Possible environmental justice impacts during operation include the alteration of sce-
nic quality in areas of traditional or cultural significance to minority or low-income
populations. Habitat modification, noise impacts, and health and safety impacts are
also possible sources of environmental justice impacts.
WIND TURBINE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
PERSONNEL SAFETY CONCERNS
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AtAlities
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Wind energy workers are exposed to hazards that can result in fatalities and serious
injuries. Many incidents involving falls, severe burns from electrical shocks and arc
flashes/fires, and crushing injuries have been reported to OSHA. Some examples are
given below:
•
On August 29, 2009, at 8:30 a.m., a 33-year-old male lineman was shocked
as he grasped a trailer ramp attached to a low-boy trailer containing an exca-
vator. The excavator was being operated in anticipation of being offloaded
from the trailer. The trailer was parked on a rural aggregate road adja-
cent to an access road for a wind turbine generator. The excavator operator
rotated the upper works of the machine prior to moving the machine from
the trailer. During the rotation the boom contacted a 7200-volt primary
rural power line. The power line was approximately 12 feet from the road,
and the trailer was parked approximately 2 feet from the road edge. The
injured worker had entry wounds in his hands and exit wounds in his feet.
He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was treated
and admitted for observation. He was discharged approximately 24 hours
later and returned to work the following day.
•
On May 10, 2009, a worker was in the bottom power cabinet of a wind
turbine to check the electrical connections. He came into contact with a
bus bar, and an arc flash erupted, causing him injury. The victim was being
taken to a hospital by a technician when they were met by an ambulance
