HSE Audit for Solar Farm

Objective

• To find out Environmental, Health and Safety hazards and risks viz. electrical, fire, work at height, water, wastes management and climate change related risks etc. specifically arising from the operation and maintenance of roof top solar projects to the workforce engaged in operation and maintenance of the projects.
• To prepare Hazard and risk assessment which is very specific to company’s roof top solar installations complying IFC PS 1 (Risk management), 2 (Labour) and 3 (Resource efficiency)—only the relevant clauses as per the attached appendix.
• To suggest corrective and preventive measure action plan as per identified risk and hazards which are user friendly and practically possible to implement at roof top solar sites, by considering the constraints in rooftop solar setup.

Scope of Work

• Thorough site survey of each site including all roofs: Physical Site survey of all roof top solar sites will include all the project components (Solar panels, inverters, electrical panels, firefighting and Personal protective equipment etc.). Site survey checklist to be prepared and to be approved by the Company.
• Conduct hazard Identification and risks assessment as per IFC PS (1,2 &3) )—only the relevant clauses as per the attached appendix. Identification of possible environmental, health & safety hazards and risks viz. electrical, fire, work at height, water and wastes management etc. specifically arising from the operation and maintenance of roof top solar projects to the workforce engaged in operation and maintenance of the projects.
• Development of corrective and preventive action and monitoring plan: A user friendly corrective and preventive action and monitoring plan shall be developed for identified EHS hazards and risks. The corrective and preventive action plan should be divided into three parts:
  • Immediate action plan required for high risk hazards.
  • Time bound (6-12 months) action plan required for moderate risk hazards and;
  • Long term action plan to improve the overall EHS performance at project site

Evaluate and identify potential safety hazards and injuries

To evaluate and identify potential safety hazards eliminating risks and potential injuries. Each workplace presents its own unique set of occupational hazards. Conducting an analysis of unique hazards:

Evaluate the specific work situation

It’s important to evaluate each specific situation to develop a list of the hazards and the potential injuries that could occur. Understanding the hazards and potential injuries, and the likelihood of an accident occurring. The following hazards in general will be evaluated for their accident causing potential

Fire Safety

Fire extinguisher

• Checking the adequacy and deployment of the portable Fire extinguisher as per relevant standards (2190)
• Accessibility to extinguishers as per relevant standards and availability of refills, mounting practice, etc.

Passive fire protection

• Segregation of the facilities and utilities, requirement of fire partition walls and its fire rating
• Segregation of power cables, data cables, utility lines.
• Addressing the fire spread through vertical and horizontal openings meant for cable passes, utility lines, etc.
• Lightning arrestors and earth pit resistance.
• Availability of Emergency preparedness plan
• Adequacy and availability of emergency lights and ventilation
• Evacuation Route Maps and Fire order display
• Emergency contact numbers display at prominent locations
• Adequacy of signage’s.
• Assessment of fire safety training level of security staff, and facility management staff.
• Assessment of emergency plan, fire mock drill records, evacuation plan and its adequacy.
• Assembly place

Working at height

Working with ladders to access equipment and rooftops

Types of ladders that may used are

• Fixed
• Portable

Working on roofs with inadequate edge protection

• Evaluate the existence of edge protection both temporary and permanent.
• Where inadequate edge protection is available to evaluate the use of Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS).
• Use of full body harnesses and life lines.

Trip hazards leading to fall

Trip hazards, such as debris or tools lying on the ground or on walking surfaces, can lead to injuries such as sprained ankles but can also increase the risk of falling. Trip hazards on rooftops create an unsafe environment that can lead to falls from the roof.

Electrical hazards

• Safe working systems with electrically live installations.
• PTW and LOTO system.
• Use of safe insulated tools.
• Trained personnel.
• Emergency plan in case of an incident.

Environmental hazards

Working in very hot weather conditions

Working conditions include: working in summer on hot rooftops. Hazards include: dehydration, potential of passing out, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or death. Effect of UV radiation causing skin burns.

Welfare and Health related facilities

• Availability of minimum first aid and training to use the first aid kit.
• Availability of clean drinking water. A hygienic place to have food and drinks.
• Hand washing facility and sanitary conveniences.
• Adequate rest breaks.
• Regular health check- ups.

Lone working

To evaluate the hazards of lone working and the consequences there of.

Other hazards

Evaluation of other hazards including: noise, manual handling, poor housekeeping, mechanical hazards, Chemical hazards, Poor lighting, etc.

Environmental Aspects and Impacts

• Management of water.
• Management of liquid and solid wastes.
• Management of processes producing Green House Gases.
• Management of hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes.