Protecting Resources: Hazards of Green Jobs

Green jobs are making the world a better place by reducing carbon emissions, harnessing natural resources for energy and saving customers money while protecting the planet. Given that noble mission, it's wise to remember that your employee resources are just as valuable as clean air and water.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act compels employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace — free from recognized hazards — for their workers. So do you know what green job hazards look like?

Green industry's recognized hazards

Here's an overview of green job hazards for some of the industries outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Wind energy

The materials, environment and machinery involved in installing wind turbines require safety measures, training and careful documentation of each incident to protect your employees and your business against lawsuits. The risks to employees include:

• Asphyxiation or low-oxygen risks in confined spaces.
• Electrocution from power lines.
• Inhalation of harmful chemicals during buffing and resurfacing turbine blades.
• Death or serious injury by heavy lifting machinery striking, dropping or an electrical short to ground.

Weatherization

Weatherization jobs include installation, maintenance and cleaning up jobs that often require exposure to fiberglass, cellulose, spray polyurethane foam, polystyrene and other potentially harmful substances. Proper use of personal protective equipment on the job will reduce the following risks:

• Skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
• Burns by fire.
• Potential neurological effects.
• Death by fire.

Solar energy

Employees face risks during manufacturing, installing and maintaining solar energy. Protect workers in solar energy from the following types of injuries:

• Broken bones or death falls from rooftops and skylights.
• Dehydration, heat stroke and death from hot weather conditions.
• Burns from electric shocks while hooking up the panels to the electrical circuit.

Recycling

Recycling poses several workplace hazards due to exposure to chemicals, transportation and machinery risk factors. Workers should be protected from these types of incidents:

• Traffic accidents while collecting recycling.
• Lead and cadmium poisoning from unprotected handling.
• Developing musculoskeletal injuries from lifting beyond one's ability.

Hydrogen fuel cells

Manufacturers of hydrogen fuel cells that provide energy without combustion, should protect their workers from many of the same risks encountered in other manufacturing plants such as slips, trips and falls, fire and explosions. Handling the liquid hydrogen required for the fuel cell can result in extreme freezer burns.

Green roofs

If you install green roofs to improve your carbon footprint, be aware of a special risk to your works: silica dust. Workers may inhale fine particles of silica, a common component in materials like soil and granite, which can lead to lung issues and death.

Is your green business doing all it can to prevent possible employment litigation related to hazards in the workplace? Contact the Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth P.C. for help.

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