| Written by Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter
The Importance of Safety Training Offshore
Offshore wind farms lie several kilometres off the coast, often in difficult seas with rough waves, strong winds, and rapidly changing weather conditions. These vessels operate in a hostile environment, servicing these wind farms—ranging from crew transfer vessels to jack-up vessels and specialized construction ships. This, therefore, makes the safety of the crew, technicians, and engineers on board very important because these workers face a myriad of dangers, including heavy equipment, confined spaces, and falling overboard.
Safety is not a simple adherence to the regulations but about building a culture aboard in which everyone understands the risks involved and feels empowered to act in mitigation. It's precisely because of such a culture that gets built after rigorous safety training offshore in compliance with safety protocols, constant monitoring, and improvement that ensures safety.
Safety Training Offshore: Building a Foundation
Safety training is the bedrock of effective wind farm vessel safety management. Offshore workers undergo extensive training before stepping foot on a vessel, and such training is refreshed consistently to include new challenges and technologies.
Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) is the industrial standard training program that all offshore workers must undertake. It covers some of the major subjects like sea survival, fire safety, first aid, and helicopter safety. Such training is devised to train a worker to meet the worst phase while working at sea. Participants receive training in the use of life-saving appliances like life rafts and immersion suits, as well as how to carry out emergency evacuations from a helicopter. This means that each individual can respond appropriately to any emergency, thus enhancing the vessel's safety (continue reading: Emergency Response Offshore).
On top of the BOSIET, workers are expected to complete training specific to the wind industry, including Global Wind Organization Basic Safety Training. This incorporates modules about working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness, and first aid, but they are bespoke and deal with the risks associated with an offshore wind farm. One major risk is working at heights, as technicians often have to climb the towers of wind turbines; with this in mind, proper use of personal protective equipment and fall arrest systems has been specifically emphasized in training.
The other essential component of safety training would thus have to be crew resource management (CRM). Essentially rooted in the aviation sector, CRM deals with the non-technical skills that make operations safe and effective: communication, teamwork, decision-making, and situational awareness. CRM training would allow the crew to gain insight into the importance of clear communication and collaboration in specific, high-pressure situations where split-second decisions can be the difference between life and death.
In addition, continuous safety training is important. Offshore environments are dynamic, and new challenges arise constantly. Regular drills, man-made simulation exercises, and refresher courses are conducted so that all personnel stay sharp and on their toes at all times. The drills often simulate emergency situations, like a man going overboard, a fire breaking out, or faulty equipment, to test the crew's preparedness to respond on time.
Safety Measures on Wind Farm Vessels
Besides training, safety on wind farm vessels can be guaranteed by a mix of engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment. These measures aim to reduce risks and individually safeguard the workers from harm.
Engineering controls are various measures taken to ensure the safe design and operation of a vessel and its equipment. Modern navigation systems have been fitted with GPS, radar, and automatic identification systems, which enable crews to avoid collisions and navigate safely in any weather. Handrails, anti-slip decks, and emergency lighting are also installed for safety purposes, all of which enhance accident avoidance measures.
Wind farm vessels have onboard safety systems that are very robust and full of detail. Fire suppression systems, such as sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers, are appropriately located on the vessel. Systems inspection and maintenance are carried out concerning these so that they are always in a state of full operation. Likewise, the lifeboats and life rafts are easily accessible, and their condition is checked frequently to be good to use if needed.
Administrative measures are the policies, procedures, and protocols related to onboard safety. Every vessel will have an extremely detailed Safety Management System that outlines procedures for the safe operation of vessels, how to respond in an emergency, and how to recognize hazards. The SMS is considered a living document, always under review and updated with lessons learned from incidents and near-misses. It shall be the responsibility of the master and the safety officer on board to ensure that all crew members are familiar with the SMS and comply with its provisions.
Regular safety briefings will take place before every shift or operation. During these briefings, possible hazards that might be involved will be mentioned, and safety procedures will be reviewed. These briefings aim to remind all crew members about safety and to be always on guard while performing their duties.
Personal protective equipment is the last line of defence against the hazards. All personnel onboard the wind farm vessels are required to wear PPE based on the task they will be involved in. Typically used PPE includes helmets, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toed boots. Fall protection harnesses are worn for work done at height, with the addition of hearing protection equipment in some cases where there will be exposure to heavy machinery.
An immersion suit is probably the most critical piece of PPE offshore workers will wear. In the event of a man-overboard scenario, this equipment—made from waterproof and insulated material, covering the whole body with only the face exposed—is supposed to keep one safe from hypothermia. These suits could be literally life-savers in the cold waters often experienced on an offshore wind farm.
Safety Culture: The Backbone of Safe Operations
Although training, engineering controls, and PPE are all key elements of safety in themselves, a truly safe wind farm vessel operation requires a strong safety culture. A strong safety culture is one where the first priority is safety above everything else, everyone on board is responsible for their own safety and that of their colleagues, and open and encouraged communication regarding safety concerns exists.
Establishing an emphasis on safety within a company really starts with the leadership. Here, the captain and senior officers on board need to lead by always acting, day in and day out, in ways that clearly and unambiguously show a commitment to safety. They should lead by example and take a little extra time to listen to and address the safety concerns of crew members.
Reporting and analysis of near-miss and incident reports are also essential attributes of a positive safety culture. In this setting, all crew members on board wind farm vessels are encouraged to communicate any safety concern, however small, without fear of retribution. Reports are later analyzed for trend analysis, root causes, and improvement areas. Such a proactive approach helps prevent accidents from occurring and ensures improvement on a continuous scale.
Empowerment is another crucial aspect of safety culture in any organization. Every crew member, ranked or experienced, has to feel empowered enough to speak up if they see something unsafe. This could be anything from a piece of equipment that looks damaged to the appearance of a colleague who appears fatigued and not fit for duty. Safety matters, and empowering crew members helps prevent accidents and creates a sense of brotherhood and collective responsibility among the crew.
On another very vital part, mental and physical well-being, offshore work is physically draining and requires a great deal of mental effort. Coupled with long working hours, isolation from family, and constant danger at their workplace, all these things are really detrimental to their well-being. Many enterprises that own and operate wind farm vessels provide workers with multiple supporting services that promote health and concentration. Among other things, these include counselling, stress management programs, and fitness facilities. Consequently, a better-rested and more mentally sound crew is less likely to make errors and more able to overcome the rigours associated with offshore work.
Continuous Improvement: Adapting to New Challenges
Safety practices on wind farm vessels are not static; they must continuously evolve to keep pace with new challenges and advancements in technology. The offshore wind industry is growing rapidly, with new wind farms being developed in deeper waters and more remote locations. These new environments present unique safety challenges that must be addressed.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to continuous improvement. Companies operating wind farm vessels often participate in industry forums, safety networks, and research initiatives to share best practices and learn from each other's experiences. This collective approach to safety helps to raise standards across the industry and ensures that all operators benefit from the latest insights and innovations (see also: HSE standards in the North Sea).
Regulatory compliance is another driver of continuous improvement. The offshore wind industry is subject to a complex web of regulations, both at the national and international levels. These regulations are designed to protect workers, the environment, and the public, and they are regularly updated to reflect new risks and technologies. Compliance with these regulations is not just a legal requirement but also a critical component of a company's safety management strategy.
FAQ
What types of safety training offshore are required for personnel working on wind farm vessels?
Personnel working on wind farm vessels must undergo several types of safety training to prepare for the unique challenges of offshore environments. The most fundamental training is the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), which covers essential skills such as sea survival, fire safety, and first aid. Workers also complete the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training, which includes modules on working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness, and first aid, tailored specifically to the wind energy sector. Additionally, Crew Resource Management (CRM) training is provided to enhance non-technical skills like communication, teamwork, and situational awareness, crucial for safe operations in high-pressure environments. Regular refresher courses and simulations are mandatory to ensure that personnel remain sharp and capable of handling emergencies effectively. These comprehensive training programs are vital for ensuring the safety of all crew members on wind farm vessels.
How does technology contribute to safety on wind farm vessels?
Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing safety on wind farm vessels by improving monitoring, communication, and operational efficiency. Digitalization has transformed safety management, with electronic permit-to-work systems (e-PTW) ensuring that all necessary safety checks are completed before tasks begin. Remote monitoring and diagnostics enable real-time oversight of equipment, allowing crews to detect and address potential issues before they escalate into serious problems. Predictive maintenance, supported by sensors and data analytics, helps prevent equipment failures that could lead to accidents. Drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are increasingly used to conduct inspections in hazardous areas, such as wind turbine blades or underwater structures, reducing the need for personnel to work in dangerous conditions. Virtual and augmented reality technologies are also employed in safety training, offering immersive simulations that prepare workers for emergency scenarios. These technological advancements significantly contribute to a safer working environment on wind farm vessels.
TAKEAWAY
Wind farm vessel safety is a multi-disciplined activity that requires rigorous training, state-of-the-art safety measures, a strong and resilient safety culture, and continual improvement. Attention to safety will increasingly become important as the offshore wind industry continues to grow and evolve. This is what companies can do to ensure that their operations are efficient, productive, and safe for all participants: invest in safety training, embrace new technologies, and foster a culture of safety.
Sources:
(1) https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-0557.pdf
(2) https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/E-fact%2080%20-%20EN.pdf
Author
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter, Marketing Manager
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter is an experienced marketing and project management professional. He spent most of his career on projects with a strong focus on digital marketing and event management. He is a very active voice representing offshore and mining industries through social media channels. Michal writes mainly about offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and tunnelling. Compiling and sharing the knowledge within industries is one of his goals.
