Product Overview

This Wind Farm Safety SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for construction, operation, and maintenance activities on wind farms, both onshore and offshore. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of Wind Farm Safety SWMS activities to support WHS compliance and effective risk management for workers and contractors.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Maintenance work inside wind turbine towers, nacelles, and hubs, including safe access, egress, and work positioning
• Operational turbine activities such as start-up, shutdown, isolation, and lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures
• Safe use of internal ladders, climb-assist systems, and fixed platforms within turbine structures
• Working at heights on turbine nacelles, roofs, and external platforms, including use of fall arrest systems
• Management of electrical hazards associated with generators, switchgear, inverters, and high-voltage equipment
• Control of mechanical hazards from rotating components, blades, gearboxes, and moving plant
• Emergency response and rescue planning for workers inside turbines or at height, including retrieval procedures
• Manual handling of tools, components, and parts during turbine inspection, servicing, and repair activities
• Weather and environmental risk management, including high winds, lightning, and remote or isolated work conditions
• Use of cranes, hoists, and lifting devices for component replacement and heavy part handling within or around turbines
• Traffic and mobile plant management on wind farm sites, including access roads and laydown areas
• Fatigue management and communication protocols for teams working in remote wind farm locations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for wind farm construction and maintenance contractors, turbine technicians, electrical and mechanical trades, and site supervisors responsible for wind farm operations and safety.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on preventing falls when working at height on wind turbines and associated structures
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for managing electrical hazards during turbine operation and maintenance
• Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Controls for mechanical plant, rotating equipment, and lifting devices used on wind farms
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid arrangements for remote and isolated wind farm sites
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on safe work environments, amenities, and conditions for wind farm workers
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work: Principles for managing fatigue risks during remote and extended wind farm operations
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Requirements for harnesses, lanyards, and fall arrest equipment used on turbines
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules): Standards for safe electrical installations and maintenance within wind turbines and substations
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017