Posters

Abstract

HSE management systems are sometimes titled as paperwork exercises of the HSE or sustainability teams or necessary evil to gain an environmental or health and safety certification a customer requires. But they are much more than artificial structures. Tailored to the organizations’ needs and co-developed with business process owners, HSE management systems can empower the wind industry to incorporate HSE aspects into business processes along the full life cycle of an asset.  The author elaborates on causes and demonstrates the potential of HSE management systems. Using case studies including the analysis of existing HSE management systems in companies, pilot projects to develop and implement HSE management systems in start-ups and newly structured companies as well as interviews with HSE experts and operational leads, the work details the challenges developers and operators of wind farms are facing and proposes strategies to overcome these challenges.  The integration of HSE aspects in existing business processes including management-level stakeholders beyond HSE was identified as leading practice to manage HSE in own operations and in contractor or even sub-contractor activities. HSE management systems can incorporate corporate HSE commitments, investor or customer requirements along with operational and legal obligations. In the best case they are set up before activities commerce e.g., contracts are signed, and construction or O&M phases begin.  They support companies in moving beyond reactive measures to address non-compliance, enhance employee HSE awareness and improve HSE performance as well as overall efficiency of business operations. The results of the review enable organizations to make the most of their HSE management systems and ensure they support core business processes and improve their overall performance rather than representing paperwork exercises.