Upcoming publications from G+

As technologies advance and the industry grows, G+ continues to prioritise health & safety measures to ensure the well-being of workers through workshops, best practices, and proactive solutions for emerging challenges.

G+ Good practice guidelines for unmanned aircraft systems

The application of uncrewed, or unmanned, aircraft systems (UASs), often known as drones, is becoming increasingly common in the offshore wind industry. These devices provide both time and financial benefits while also reducing health and safety risks to the workforce, by reducing exposure to hazardous tasks. However, these systems can introduce their own risks, with the potential for disastrous effects.

The use of UASs is growing considerably, lacking the level of regulation seen elsewhere in the industry. Communication can prove challenging and the UAS providers often lack the experience in comparison to those operating crewed aircraft, complicated by the extensive subcontracting common in offshore wind projects. Just 3 of the identified risks include

Aerial collisions (with other uncrewed or crewed aircraft)
Risk of fatalities due to an error causing an uncontrolled descent
Structural failure from collision with an asset

With these concerns in mind, the G+ and workstream members collaborated with industry experts, including aviation specialists, to develop a Good Practice Guideline (GPG). Due for imminent publication, this document aims to share, advance and encourage the G+ view of good health and safety practice when implementing UASs for offshore wind energy projects.

Life Saving Rules (LSR)

The G+ have developed a set of Lifesaving Rules (LSR) for the offshore wind industry, to be released by the end of September. Based on the G+ data, the G+ LSR are targeted at the offshore wind working risk profile, they provide 10 simple clear statements. These rules aim to further a common safety approach and culture at a time of growth and international expansion for the industry, making it easier for frontline workers to understand key risk and controls, and easier for organisations to incorporate in contractual requirements and align across regions.

Steel Fabrication

Serious and fatal incidents during steel fabrication for offshore wind projects have led to a G+ workstream that will now see the publication of a Good Practice Guide (coming in October). The guidance is aimed at project developers and covers both the enabling activities that are crucial to fostering a robust safety culture, and the hazardous activities specific to monopile, jackets and transition piece fabrication. The G+ gratefully acknowledges the contributions from among the fabrication industry, both in the development of this GPG and the earlier consultative phase of the project (see the White Paper released in March).

Offshore Wind Farm Transfer GPG (2^nd Edition)

Following workshops and a series of review sessions with G+ members, the second edition of the G+ Offshore Wind Farm Transfer GPG is in the publishing pipeline. Building on the success of the first edition, this latest document has been updated to include specifics such as the outline of recommended approach to risk reduction. It also includes an update to supervisory working arrangements and training and skills requirements guidance for:

Lifting via PTC;
Heave compensated lifting; and,
Example scenario-based risk assessment for each method of transfer.

These updates build on the guidance for standard sea transfers, such as transfer from vessel to offshore structures via vessel push-on, W2W gangway, lifting via PTC, heave compensated lifting, and transfer between vessels.