The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will begin an inspection campaign focusing on wind farms, solar farms and anaerobic digestion facilities this Monday.

This is the first inspection campaign of its kind to be carried out by the authority due to a rapid growth in the renewable energy industry.

As the climate action plan target of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030 is being delivered on, there will be continued growth in renewable energy industry across Ireland in coming years, the HSA said.

During the inspection campaign, HSA inspectors will focus on key hazards including:

Excavations.

Lifting operations.

Working at height.

Electrical safety.

Gas safety.

Emergency response plans.

Priority

Senior inspector at the HSA Greg Beechinor said: “Although this is a relatively new and growing industry, renewable energy work sites are like any other work site in Ireland and should have health and safety as a high priority.

“The authority urges employers to carry out the appropriate risk assessments and identify health and safety hazards.

"Appropriate control measures should be identified and implemented in consultation with workers. Taking these necessary steps can prevent serious or fatal injury,” he said.

At present, by far the largest amount of renewable energy is harnessed from wind farms. Wind and solar farms, once up and running and construction work has been completed, are still considered a workplace.

Occupational safety programme manager at the HSA Eibhlin O’Leary said: “The HSA will be expanding on its guidance around renewable energy and look[s] forward to working with key stakeholder groups in this area to achieve a safe working environment for all workers in this industry.”