Abstract
Developers, construction contractors, owners, and operators of wind plants need to be aware of the issues and situations that can jeopardize the safety of their employees and the general public. The use of some predetermined setback distances from homes, occupied buildings, and public roads is the primary means of mitigating issues with ice throw from wind turbines. Setback distances between wind turbines and occupied buildings established by wind developers to mitigate turbine noise and shadow flicker should exceed the maximum distance for blade throw. The incidence of turbine fires is small, and suspected causes of such fires include electromechanical malfunctions such as bearing failures. Precise planning of equipment delivery routes is crucial for any wind project. Identifying the location and depth of any existing underground electric lines and oil or gas pipelines is also critically important.
This is a book chapter in Wind Energy Essentials: Societal, Economic, and Environmental Impacts.