Safety

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As a source of abundant energy, wind energy offers many advantages. However, as with any energy generation facility, those who live and work near wind energy facilities may have concerns about how these facilities impact human health and safety.

Fortunately, wind turbines have an excellent record of safety, and a significant body of research indicates that there is no direct relationship between human exposure to wind turbines and human health issues. Wind energy project developers and operators also take to minimize health and safety impacts to the communities that host them as well as establish and meet safety standards for the wind energy workforce.
 

Do Wind Turbines Cause Health Issues?

Although concerns about potential impacts on human health from neighboring wind turbines are often topics of discussion when new wind energy projects are proposed, a wide body of scientific evidence suggests no direct relationship between human exposure to wind turbines and human health issues(link is external).

Neighbors may express concerns about impacts on their community, such as noise and shadow flicker. However, wind turbine noise remains far below levels that risk hearing damage—only slightly louder than a whisper—at a standard distance. And shadow flicker is rare and should not have medical impacts, requiring specific lighting situations and occurring at a frequency well below the threshold known to trigger photosensitive epilepsy symptoms.

People living near wind energy projects may also express concerns about wind turbines emitting radiation or electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from wind turbines.

However, field measurements show EMF levels near wind turbines are well below any existing regulatory guidelines(link is external) with respect to human health and are, in fact, lower than those produced by many common household electrical devices, such as microwave ovens, computers, and wireless internet routers.

Are Wind Turbines and Wind Farms Safe?

Wind turbines have an excellent safety record; however, as with any type of machinery, turbines can fail and cause safety risks that should be taken seriously.

Turbine failures are considered rare events with fewer than 40 incidents identified in the modern fleet of more than 40,000 turbines installed in the United States as of 2014.

How Do Developers and Owners Ensure the Safety of Wind Energy Projects?

Although unlikely, developers help prevent potential safety risks—such as blade icing, ice shedding, and blade throws—during installation by placing turbines so that they face away from inhabited structures.

During operation, owners and operators ensure that turbines are properly maintained or removed if no longer functioning.
Technicians who service wind energy technologies receive proper training and education. Industry-based guidance documents, such as the American Clean Power Association’s Offshore Compliance Recommended Practices, provide standards to improve worker safety. Read our resource on wind energy workforce safety.

What Safety Certifications Exist for Small Wind Turbines?

For wind turbines under 100 kilowatts, purchasing a model that has been certified to performance and safety standards is the best way to ensure safe operation. The Small Wind Certification Council, UL, and other entities provide accredited, third-party verification for safety, performance, and durability of small wind turbines. The Clean Energy States Alliance maintains a unified list of certified wind turbines.

Related Impacts

Explore other common concerns about wind energy projects’ impacts on the communities that host them and to find strategies for mitigating these impacts.
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