TY - GEN
T1 - Occupational risks associated with solar installations
T2 - American Solar Energy Society National Solar Conference 2020, SOLAR 2020
AU - Duroha, Jesse C.
AU - Brownson, Jeffrey R.S.
AU - Macht, Gretchen A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020. The Authors. Published by International Solar Energy Society
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - It is crucial to continuously review and assess the occupational risks associated with rooftop and ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) installations in the United States (U.S.) Solar industry. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction sector of the U.S. Solar industry is growing rapidly and the current literature that investigates the occupational risks PV installers are exposed to is limited. This paper explores the musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), falls from elevated working surfaces, electrical, and heat stress risks installers face during PV installations. The environmental factors and working conditions that increase the severity of these risks are identified. Practical solutions are then presented regarding the engineering, administrative controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to mitigate these risks. Where published literature is lacking, the effects of these risks in comparable occupations with similar tasks to PV installers is explored in order to propose solutions. This research can aid occupational safety and health professionals to develop safety protocols that can reduce occupational hazards and ensure worker safety during PV installations.
AB - It is crucial to continuously review and assess the occupational risks associated with rooftop and ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) installations in the United States (U.S.) Solar industry. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction sector of the U.S. Solar industry is growing rapidly and the current literature that investigates the occupational risks PV installers are exposed to is limited. This paper explores the musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), falls from elevated working surfaces, electrical, and heat stress risks installers face during PV installations. The environmental factors and working conditions that increase the severity of these risks are identified. Practical solutions are then presented regarding the engineering, administrative controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to mitigate these risks. Where published literature is lacking, the effects of these risks in comparable occupations with similar tasks to PV installers is explored in order to propose solutions. This research can aid occupational safety and health professionals to develop safety protocols that can reduce occupational hazards and ensure worker safety during PV installations.
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85098522931
T3 - American Solar Energy Society National Solar Conference 2020 Proceedings
SP - 49
EP - 55
BT - American Solar Energy Society National Solar Conference 2020 Proceedings
A2 - Middleton, Paulette
A2 - Hebert, Elaine
A2 - Bortman, Dara
A2 - Foster, Robert
A2 - Cipolla, Carly
A2 - Rixham, Carly
PB - International Solar Energy Society
Y2 - 24 June 2020 through 25 June 2020
ER -