A Detailed Ergonomic Assessment of Ladder Climbing

A detailed ergonomic assessment of ladder climbing: key risks (short- and long-term) to technicians in the offshore wind industry A DETAILED ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF LADDER CLIMBING: KEY RISKS (SHORT- AND LONG-TERM) TO TECHNICIANS IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY First edition November 2018 Published by Energy Institute, London The Energy Institute is a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003 Registered charity number 1097899 The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional membership body for the energy industry, supporting over 20 000 individuals working in or studying energy and 250 energy companies worldwide. The EI provides learning and networking opportunities to support professional development, as well as professional recognition and technical and scientific knowledge resources on energy in all its forms and applications. The EI’s purpose is to develop and disseminate knowledge, skills and good practice towards a safe, secure and sustainable energy system. In fulfilling this mission, the EI addresses the depth and breadth of the energy sector, from fuels and fuels distribution to health and safety, sustainability and the environment. It also informs policy by providing a platform for debate and scientifically-sound information on energy issues. The EI is licensed by: − the Engineering Council to award Chartered, Incorporated and Engineering Technician status; − the Society for the Environment to award Chartered Environmentalist status. It also offers its own Chartered Energy Engineer, Chartered Petroleum Engineer and Chartered Energy Manager titles. A registered charity, the EI serves society with independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise in all energy matters. This publication has been produced as a result of work carried out within the Technical Team of the EI, funded by the EI’s Technical Partners. The EI’s Technical Work Programme provides industry with cost-effective, value-adding knowledge on key current and future issues affecting those operating in the energy sector, both in the UK and internationally. For further information, please visit http://www.energyinst.org The EI gratefully acknowledges the financial contributions towards the development of this publication from members of the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation Ørsted EDF E. ON Equinor Innogy Scottish Power Renewables SSE Vattenfall However, it should be noted that the above organisations have not all been directly involved in the development of this publication, nor do they necessarily endorse its content. Copyright © 2018 by the Energy Institute, London. The Energy Institute is a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003. Registered charity number 1097899, England All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, or transmitted or translated into a machine language without the written permission of the publisher. ISBN 978 1 78725 032 1 Published by the Energy Institute The information contained in this publication is provided for general information purposes only. Whilst the Energy Institute and the contributors have applied reasonable care in developing this publication, no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made by the Energy Institute or any of the contributors concerning the applicability, suitability, accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein and the Energy Institute and the contributors accept no responsibility whatsoever for the use of this information. Neither the Energy Institute nor any of the contributors shall be liable in any way for any liability, loss, cost or damage incurred as a result of the receipt or use of the information contained herein. Hard copy and electronic access to EI and IP publications is available via our website, https://publishing.energyinst.org. Documents can be purchased online as downloadable pdfs or on an annual subscription for single users and companies. For more information, contact the EI Publications Team. e: [email protected] A DETAILED ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF LADDER CLIMBING: KEY RISKS (SHORT- AND LONG-TERM) TO TECHNICIANS IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY CONTENTS Page Executive summary...........................................................8 Acknowledgements .........................................................12 Introduction. 13 1 Literature review ......................................................15 1.1 Objective. 15 1.2 Methodology: Inclusion criteria ........................................15 1.2.1 Participants �� 15 1.2.2 Phenomena of interest .......................................15 1.2.3 Types of studies �� 15 1.2.4 Types of outcomes ..........................................15 1.2.5 Search strategies ...........................................15 1.3 Results. 16 1.3.1 Overview �� 16 1.3.2 Background . 16 1.3.3 Biomechanical analysis .......................................16 1.3.4 Physiological analysis ........................................18 1.3.5 Musculoskeletal injury and disorders.............................19 1.3.6 Influence of carrying load.....................................22 1.3.7 Climbing style/technique .....................................23 1.3.8 Rest breaks. 23 1.3.9 Ladder pitch. 23 1.4 Discussion . 24 1.5 Conclusion �� 24 2 Task analysis . 26 2.1 Objective �� 26 2.2 Introduction . 26 2.3 Methods . 28 2.3.1 Task analysis. 28 2.3.2 Review of current physical employment standards for offshore wind technicians �� 28 2.4 Results. 29 2.4.1 Critical task analysis .........................................29 2.4.2 Review of current physical employment standards for offshore wind technicians �� 37 2.5 Summary. 39 3 Ergonomic assessment..................................................41 3.1 Objectives �� 41 3.2 Introduction �� 41 3.3 Methods �� 41 3.3.1 Participants �� 41 3.3.2 Procedures �� 41 3.3.3 Measurements . 42 3.3.4 Data analysis �� 45 3.4 Results. 46 3 A DETAILED ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF LADDER CLIMBING: KEY RISKS (SHORT- AND LONG-TERM) TO TECHNICIANS IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY Contents continued Page 3.5 Discussion . 69 3.6 Summary. 71 3.7 Recommendations and future research ..................................72 4 Thermal aspects .......................................................73 4.1 Objectives �� 73 4.2 Background. 73 4.3 Methods �� 74 4.4 Results. 74 4.5 Discussion . 79 4.6 Recommendations..................................................80 References . 81 4 A DETAILED ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF LADDER CLIMBING: KEY RISKS (SHORT- AND LONG-TERM) TO TECHNICIANS IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Page Figures Figures 1a 1a represents the current fitness components assessed and 1b by the wind power industry. 1b shows all the fitness components identified during this study, and their assessed relative contribution to ladder climbing performance..............................................9 Figure 2.4.1 Schematic of an offshore wind turbine. The schematic is not to scale with variations occurring in all aspects across the industry. The model is based on a 3.6 Offshore Turbine ............................................30 Figure 2.4.2 Schematic of a generic vessel transfer and ascent to the Transition Piece (Energy Institute, 2014). 32 Figure 2.4.3 19 kg (placed at the front of the picture) and 13 kg Tension Heads. 35 Figure 3.3.2.1 Ladder ergometer. HP Cosmos ladder with wedge underneath to create a vertical ladder treadmill. 41 Figure 3.3.2 Precision Dynamometer G100.......................................44 Figure 3.3.3 Example manual dexterity test ......................................45 Figure 3.4.1 Mead (SD) Estimated percentage of total time spent metabolising energy aerobically and anaerobically (Climb 1 n = 15 [WT = 6; Novice = 9]; Climb 2, n = 15 [WT = 6; Novice = 9]: Climb 3 n = 14 [WT = 5; Novice = 9]) NB. Data could not be computed for one WT due to removal of the facemask between each 30 m climb. 52 Figure 3.4.2 Peak Oxygen consumption for Wind Technicians across each of the three 120 m climbs. Climb 1 is with the addition

Load more