While renewable energy has a number of benefits, it can also present some challenges. One of the most significant risks workers faced in the renewable energy industry is exposure to loud noises.
This can be a problem in both large-scale and small-scale operations. Fortunately, there are several ways you can improve worker safety in the renewable energy industry. Below are some tips worth considering:
Inform Employees about Noise Levels
One of the most important things you can do is educate your employees about noise levels. The more your employees understand the dangers of loud noises, the more proactive they will be about preventing workplace injuries from noise exposure.
Make sure that employees know how to read decibel charts properly so that they don’t underestimate their risk level. You should also make sure that employees know what steps they can take to reduce their risk of injuries, such as wearing hard hats with hearing protection and earplugs.
Provide Hearing Protection Products
In addition to educating your employees about workplace hazards, you should provide them with products that will help them stay safe. Hard hats with hearing protection are one example of such a product. There are also Bluetooth earmuffs and muffs with built-in microphones on the market today.
Provide Adequate Training
Some employees may have little to no experience in the field. This can lead to accidents and injuries. To avoid this, it’s essential for all companies involved with renewables to take measures now so that they don’t end up facing costly lawsuits later on down the road.
OSHA has developed specific requirements for training workers on renewable energy projects. Employees must be prepared to recognize hazards and use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly.
Since 2015, OSHA has increased its efforts to enforce safety regulations on construction sites, with 899 violations across the US between 2016 and 2017.
OSHA requires that any employee who works in an area with potential hazards receive adequate hazard training before starting work. This should include information about how to avoid injury or illness, what types of PPE are necessary, and how to use protective equipment correctly.
Workers should also receive refresher training if they haven’t performed a particular task for long.