The government is taking steps to enhance safety management for maintenance workers at wind power facilities. It will distribute materials outlining safety guidelines and risk factors for various tasks, from inspecting electrical equipment inside wind turbines to blade repairs, across 141 wind power sites nationwide.
On October 22, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the joint production and distribution of the 'Wind Power Maintenance Safety Points (OPS)' to prevent industrial accidents during maintenance work. The OPS is a field guide that visually summarizes essential safety rules that on-site workers must know.
This initiative was prompted by a fire incident at the Yeongdeok wind farm on March 23, where three workers from a subcontractor died while repairing a cracked turbine blade. Following the incident, labor authorities launched an investigation into compliance with safety management obligations by both primary and subcontractors. The safety management issues at wind power maintenance sites, where risks of working at heights and fire hazards can occur simultaneously, have become a major concern.
To prevent such accidents, the government created safety materials reflecting the characteristics of maintenance tasks, including work at heights and in confined spaces, while gathering input from on-site workers and related industries. The risks vary depending on the work location, including the tower base, interior, nacelle, and blades. Hazards such as asphyxiation, falls, entrapment, electric shock, and fire, as well as weather-related risks like strong winds and lightning, are also present.
Accordingly, the government has categorized five key processes based on work locations, presenting an overview of tasks, risk factors, core safety rules, and essential safety measures. For example, when inspecting electrical equipment at the tower base, workers must implement lockout/tagout (LOTO) safety measures and ensure that the equipment is de-energized. They are also required to wear insulated protective gear.
When ascending or descending inside the tower or moving to elevated areas, workers must wear safety harnesses and connect to fall protection lifelines. They should adhere to the operating procedures for lifting equipment and check the operational status of safety devices.
Inside the nacelle at the top of the turbine, workers must confirm that the rotor has completely stopped and secure the brakes before conducting maintenance on the drive system. They should also check the temperature of the gearbox and drive system and clean up any spilled oil. When inspecting electrical equipment inside the nacelle, LOTO procedures, residual energy removal, and wearing insulated protective gear are emphasized.
During the maintenance of blades and hubs, workers are advised to use double lanyards and double ropes to prevent falls. Work should be halted if weather conditions worsen due to strong winds, lightning, or heavy rain.
Notably, the government has included examples of risk assessments for the high-risk, non-standard maintenance processes for blades. Unlike typical industrial facilities, wind power equipment often requires work in confined spaces at the top of the turbine. If a fire occurs or access and evacuation routes are blocked during work, rescue and evacuation can become challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to identify equipment-specific risk factors and review safety measures for emergency situations before starting work.
The OPS will be distributed to the 141 operational wind power sites, developers, turbine manufacturers, and maintenance companies. It will also be posted on the Industrial Safety Portal and the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association's website for on-site workers to access freely. The Ministry of Labor plans to produce and distribute a more detailed 'Renewable Energy Safety Work Guide' next month, covering offshore wind and installation and dismantling of wind power facilities.
Lee Kyung-soo, Director of Renewable Energy Policy at the Ministry of Climate, stated, "A safety-based management system is essential for the sustainable deployment of wind power. We will work with relevant departments and industries to ensure that this material is effectively implemented on-site."
Kim Boo-hee, Director of Industrial Safety Prevention Policy at the Ministry of Labor, emphasized, "Wind power involves many non-standard maintenance tasks for aging equipment, so it is important to conduct risk assessments before work to identify hazards and adhere to safety rules."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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