Safety Risks of a Wind Farm

The number of energy-harnessing wind turbine farms continues to grow across the United States and worldwide. As more turbines are built, more accidents related to turbine construction and operation tend to occur. Wind turbines are relatively quiet and efficient; they are also complex machines that house electrical processes. The nature of their construction -- their height and the force of their turning blades -- renders them subject to unique safety concerns.

Falls

• Wind turbines are costly, sophisticated instruments that require skilled installation and maintenance. Standing as tall as several hundred feet and equipped with propeller-like blades, wind turbines present an inherent risk for falls and injuries to maintenance workers -- one of their primary safety risks. Specialty equipment protects workers from many types of falls and other injuries, but the risk of accidents is a reality. Only a handful of the turbine-related accidents that occur worldwide each year are fatal (fewer than 10 annually). Injuries and fatalities are possible with any work involving electrical fields or high-rise technology.

Blade Failure

• Wind turbine blades harness the energy that becomes electrical power. These blades turn with a great deal of momentum, and if they should malfunction or break, entire blades or pieces can be thrown for distances of over a thousand yards and even penetrate roofs and walls. Blade failure is the most common mechanical failure risk. These incidents are relatively rare, but do carry the potential for injury and property damage. Wind farms should be placed at adequate distances away from occupied housing to ensure safety.

Fire

• Fires are the second most prevalent mechanical risk of wind turbines. Fires involving electrical conversion apparatus are not unusual, but due to the height of turbine towers, there is often little ground fire brigades can do to arrest flames. Both winds and the turbine blades themselves can send sparks and flames flying over a wide range. This is especially risky near populated or forested areas, and to wind power personnel, who by proximity are most likely to suffer burns from turbine fires.

Other Risks

• Other wind-farm-related risks include general structural failure (such as tower collapse) or ice thrown by the propeller blades. The risks for human injury are real, but minimal. Birds are sometimes killed by the turbine blades, but reported instances of bird deaths are also relatively rare -- for example, 13 bird deaths were officially reported worldwide in 2009. Studies are currently being undertaken in New York to determine if any other health or safety concerns exist.