Health and Safety Executive outlines solar and marine energy risks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) yesterday published two major new reports assessing the long-term health and safety implications of growth in the solar and marine renewable energy sectors, paving the way for new legislation and policing mechanisms for the emerging industries.

The reports warned that the two sectors could pose a risk to the health of workers and the public and as such they recommended that the HSE moves to ensure it has sufficient skills and resources in place to provide a comprehensive inspection regime for the fast-expanding industries.

The report on solar concluded that the manufacture, installation and maintenance of solar devices could all pose heath and safety risks that will need to be regulated.

It warned that the rapid growth of the industry could result in underqualified personnel being employed to install panels, adding that work on rooftop panels and connecting panels to domestic electric circuits could pose safety risks.

It also predicted that the installation of solar thermal power may require workers to have plumbing skills and Gas Safe registrations if they are integrating solar technologies with gas central heating.

In addition, it warned that the manufacture and recycling of panels could pose health risks because of the use of toxic chemicals such as cadmium telluride and copper indium diselenide in many solar panels.

Similarly, the report on marine energy highlighted concerns over the safety risks presented by construction work at sea, noting that sites that have strong waves and tidal currents and are typically suitable for marine energy systems are intrinsically dangerous places to work.

Both reports concluded that the HSE should consider the resource implications of inspecting and regulating the two industries given that government renewable energy targets mean they are likely to experience rapid growth.

Moreover, the marine risk report warned that the HSE's offshore inspection division will face further pressure, as it will also have responsibility for the anticipated expansion in the UK's offshore wind energy industry, as well as existing oil and gas operations.