Los
Angeles Times: Although switching from fossil fuels to
renewable energy sources is a laudable goal, building and
maintaining solar and wind power projects can be hazardous,
writes Tiffany Hsu for the
Los Angeles Times. Workers perform tasks similar to
those in the most dangerous professions: roofing, electrical
work, and carpentry. And the industry’s rapid growth
means more new and inexperienced people who often must work in
small spaces, at great heights, with extremely heavy machinery,
and surrounded by high-voltage electrical equipment. Even the
public can be at risk, as fires atop wind towers have scattered
burning debris, and hastily built installations have collapsed
within months. In the wake of complaints from various watchdog
groups, however, clean-energy companies are working to
implement more uniform safety standards and more intensive
training for workers.
