Different Shades of Green: An Analysis of the Occupational Health and Safety Risks Faced by Wind Farm Workers

Author:

Cunha Liliana12ORCID,Silva Daniel1ORCID,Macedo Mariana1

Affiliation:

1. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

2. Centre for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

Abstract

The growth of the wind power sector has been marked by environmental, economic, and political drivers. Its starring role is also visible in the emergence of the so-called “green jobs”. Notwithstanding, its evolution ought not to compromise issues related to occupational risks. This exploratory study examines psychosocial risks in the operation and maintenance of onshore wind turbines in a leading Portuguese company. We conducted interviews with main stakeholders (human resources, OHS professionals, and team leaders); developed an “activity diary” for the operation and maintenance technicians to describe their activity and perceived impacts on health, complemented with collective interviews; and applied the Work and Health Survey. The results revealed the following particular risks and health impacts: working under adverse weather conditions, working at heights and in confined spaces, spending long work hours inside of the nacelles to achieve an optimum balance between favourable wind slots to intervene and avoiding additional trips up and down the wind turbines without lifts (70–120 m), and the feeling of early ageing. At a time when these workers are striving for recognition of their profession as a “rapid wear profession”, it is a pivotal moment to discuss these results to guarantee sustainable conditions for future generations of workers.

Funder

Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference49 articles.

1. UNCTAD—United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2019). Structural Transformation, Industry 4.0 and Inequality: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Challenges, UNCTAD.

2. The French-speaking ergonomists’ approach to work activity: Cross-influences of field intervention and conceptual models;Daniellou;Theor. Issues Ergon. Sci.,2005

3. Pikaar, R., Koningsveld, E., and Settels, P. (2007). Meeting Diversity in Ergonomics, Elsevier.

4. EU-OSHA—European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2013). Occupational Safety and Health in the Wind Energy Sector.

5. (2021, July 30). Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/eu-climate-action/law_pt.

Cited by 1 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3