When is a SiGeKo mandatory on a wind farm?
As soon as employees of several employers work on the site, the client must appoint one or more coordinators under section 3 of the German Construction Site Ordinance. On a wind farm this is practically always the case: civil works, foundation, crane company, the manufacturer's installation team and the electrical contractor work side by side. A prior notice is mandatory if the site lasts longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers at the same time or exceeds 500 person-days.
Who appoints the coordinator: developer or manufacturer?
The client. Who that is depends on the contract: if the developer or utility builds the wind farm itself, it appoints the coordinator. If the turbine manufacturer takes over the client's duties as general contractor, the appointment lies with the manufacturer. We work in both set-ups and clarify responsibility before construction starts.
What belongs in the safety and health plan of a wind farm?
Site set-up with access roads, crane pads and storage areas, the sequence of trades, rules for crane and lifting operations, work at height, electrical work and heavy transport, the rescue and emergency concept including rescue at height, and the responsibilities of all companies involved. The plan is updated as construction progresses.
What is the difference between SiGeKo, HSE manager and occupational safety specialist?
The SiGeKo coordinates across all companies on behalf of the client under the Construction Site Ordinance. The HSE manager runs the health, safety and environmental management of a company or project operationally on site. The occupational safety specialist (SiFa) advises the individual employer under DGUV Regulation 2. SAFETEE provides all three roles and combines them on wind farms where it makes sense.
How quickly can SAFETEE provide a coordinator?
For planning services such as prior notice and safety and health plan, usually within a few days of the order. For the execution phase we plan the inspection rhythm with you to suit the site: from weekly to daily during installation phases. With five offices from Hamburg to Mainz we are on site across Germany at short notice.
Does SAFETEE also cover repowering, decommissioning and grid connection?
Yes. Repowering and decommissioning are construction sites within the meaning of the ordinance with their own risks such as dismantling under time pressure and legacy issues in foundations. We also coordinate grid connection, substation and cable route, as well as work on solar and storage projects at the same location.
What does a SiGeKo for a wind farm cost?
That depends on the number of turbines, construction time, number of trades and the desired inspection rhythm. We calculate transparently by planning and execution phase and define the scope with you. After a short initial conversation you receive a quotation with clearly defined service modules.
Does a single wind turbine also need a SiGeKo?
Usually yes. The Construction Site Ordinance does not depend on the number of turbines but on the number of employers on site. Even for a single wind turbine, civil works, foundation, crane company and installation team work in sequence or at the same time. A prior notice may also be required depending on the scope. We provide the coordinator for single turbines and for extensions of existing wind farms too.
What changes for safety coordination in a repowering project?
In repowering, two construction sites follow one another: dismantling of the old turbine and new build, often on the same areas. The safety and health plan therefore covers both phases and the transition: crane pads, access roads, exclusion zones and releases for dismantling, foundation demolition and new build. Dismantling by crane or blasting counts as particularly hazardous work under Annex II of the BaustellV. How we organise this is shown on Repowering and decommissioning.
What does SAFETEE need from the client to start?
A site plan with turbine locations, access roads and crane pads, the planned construction sequence with trades and dates, the list of companies involved and the turbine type. With that we prepare the prior notice and the safety and health plan. Missing documents are collected with you during the planning phase; the plan is updated as construction progresses.
Does SAFETEE also coordinate wind farms outside Germany?
Yes. Since 2013 we have supported wind projects in 13 European countries, from the Netherlands and Austria to Poland and Finland. Outside Germany the Construction Site Ordinance does not apply; the respective national law does, which, like the BaustellV, is based on EU Directive 92/57/EEC. There we act as HSE coordination for the client or manufacturer and align our role with the local coordinator.
