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Researchers shine a light on how human factors can improve safety in offshore wind

Published in: Wind, Press Releases

Researchers shine a light on how human factors can improve safety in offshore wind image

As the offshore wind industry accelerates to meet global energy and climate goals, researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have published a groundbreaking study aimed at supporting safety, wellbeing, and performance for wind technicians working in high-risk environments.

Dr Ruby Roberts and Professor Rhona Flin from Aberdeen Business School have published a paper entitled Human Factors in Onshore and Offshore Wind: A Scoping Review, which has identified 16 key human factors (HF), ranging from psychological and environmental to organisational, that impact technician safety and performance during operations and maintenance.

Subsequent work drawing on focus group workshops with those working in the industry, highlights a growing recognition of HF as a vital component of health and safety management. It also calls for the development of a positive safety culture within the wind industry, where safety is a key priority and technicians can speak up without fear of reprisal.

Dr Roberts said: “A safe and competent workforce is essential to the long-term success of the wind industry. Our findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the human challenges faced by onshore and offshore wind technicians, providing a foundation for future safety interventions.”

“It’s really about understanding the factors that influence technicians’ ability to do their job well – their skills and competencies, how they work in a team, whether they trust each other, and how their organisation supports them.”

Professor Flin added: “By taking a psychological approach, we’re not just looking at equipment and design, we’re examining how people interact with complex systems in their everyday work.This is key to preventing incidents and supporting workforce wellbeing.”

A human factors survey launched this week in collaboration with GWO aims to create a unique snapshot of what it is like to work in the wind sector. Asking wind workers about the human factors that they perceive to impact on their health, safety and productivity. Wind workers are invited to share their views here. 

For more information or to access the full study, visit RGU’s research repository.

Robert Gordon University 

An innovative, inclusive, and professionally-focused University that has a positive impact on those it serves: Robert Gordon University (RGU) delivers high-quality educational experiences that provide learners with the skills to thrive throughout their careers to become global citizens. RGU’s strategic mission is to transform people and communities by providing excellent teaching, research, and enterprise opportunities that contribute to economic, social, and cultural development and environmental sustainability.

RGU places students at the heart of both the design and delivery of its teaching and learning and is positively reflected in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 where it was placed second in Scotland and in the UK’s top ten for teaching quality. The University collaborates with students to continually enhance support services and curricula in response to students’ needs. RGU's reputation for delivering high-quality learning experiences is consistently recognised through the National Student Survey (NSS) and in 2023 ranked second in Scotland and in the UK’s top ten for student satisfaction using the Times Higher Education’s positivity measure.

RGU was named top in Scotland and third in the UK by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2022 for its graduate employability and continues to be supported by strong industry links. The University was ranked second in Scotland for graduate outcomes: on track in the Complete University Guide 2024. Its many entrepreneurial and innovative programmes diversify and strengthen the economy, creating new products, services, and jobs. The University’s world-class research delivers innovative solutions for businesses and industry for economic, societal, environmental, and cultural impact. As an institution, and a community, RGU values curiosity, authenticity, approachability, collaboration, enterprise, ambition, respectfulness, and equality— values the University embeds in every aspect of what it does.

For more information about RGU, please visit www.rgu.ac.uk

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