Onshore wind turbines: Who is looking after public safety?
Author:
The danger to the public from wind turbines is clearly illustrated by the growing number of accidents worldwide involving giant turbines catching fire, shedding blades or parts of blades and throwing large ice lumps.
Industrial sized on-shore wind turbines with large rotating blades pose an element of danger to both the public and property in the surrounding area. The fact that these blades rotate at a great height above the ground means that any failure or partial failure of a blade or falling ice can be projected some distance and over a wide area.
This danger is increased when turbines are sited in close proximity to high voltage electricity lines, homes and a busy road running in an East to West direction, as in the recent Seamer planning applications. …
The lack of a regulating body to set, monitor and enforce health and safety standards for the wind industry has resulted in confusion and division of responsibility between the various central and local government bodies. With no over-all body in charge, none of the parties involved accepts responsibility for evaluating the dangers and carrying out a Risk Assessment.
The planning process for commercial wind turbine installations DOES NOT REQUIRE OR INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK WIND TURBINES POSE TO THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY.
Download original document: “Onshore wind turbines: Who is looking after public safety?”
