Emerging OSH Issues in Installation and Maintenance of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Projects and Their Link with Sustainable Development Goals

Figures & data

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a typical floating solar photovoltaic project indicating the occupational risks on land and water.

Figure 2 Interrelationships between OSH issues in installation and maintenance of FSPV projects and sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Figure 3 Flowchart showing the various steps in the review process using the PRISMA framework. PRISMA figure adapted from Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151:264–269. ¹⁸

Table 1 A Summary of Key Reasons for the Emergence of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Projects

Parameter	Author	Region	Study Type	Key Findings
Efficiency	Goswami et al, 2019^Citation19	India	Techno-economic analysis	Higher generating capacity as compared to ground-mounted solar PV
	Liu et al, 2017^Citation20	China	Comparative study	Lower operating temperature as compared to ground-mounted solar PV leading to better efficiency
Land requirement	Sahu et al, 2016^Citation2	NA	Review Study	Land neutral
Durability of components	Sahu and Sudhakar, 2019^Citation21	NA	Technical study	Floating platforms (made of HDPE) are resistant to Ultraviolet exposure and can bear loads of panels/accessories.
Water conservation	Azami et al,2017^Citation22	Iran	Theoretical analysis	Reduced evaporation & CO2 emission
	Mittal et al, 2017^Citation23	India	Numerical analysis	Annual water saving of 191 million liters for a 1 MW project
	Rosa-Clot et al, 2017^Citation24	Australia	Feasibility study	Saving of 15,000–25,000 cubic meter of water per MWp
Economic viability	Ferrer-Gisbert et al, 2013^Citation25	Spain	Feasibility Study	Feasible on agriculture reservoir
Hybrid energy system	Cazzaniga et al, 2019^Citation26	Global study	Data analysis	Large potential for energy production when coupled with Hydro Power Plants (HPPs)
Sustainability	Pringle et al, 2017^Citation27	NA	Feasibility study	FSPV combined with aquaculture can resolve food, energy and water problems
	Trapani and Miller, 2013^Citation28	Malta	Techno-economic analysis	Significant carbon savings

Note: NA: no specific mention of any particular region/country.

Abbreviations: HDPE, high-density polyethylene; MW, megawatt; MWp, megawatt peak.

Table 2 Occupational Risks of Workers Engaged in the Solar PV Industry/FSPV Sector

Occupational Risk Factors	Author	Region	Study Type/Tool	Findings	Future Scope/Safety Measures
Heat	Kamenopoulos and Tsoutsos, 2015^Citation29	NA	Operational Risk Management tool	Heat is an occupational risk during operation & maintenance.	Safety measures, monitoring, and PPE
	Samaniego-Rascón et al, 2019^Citation30	Mexico	Wet-bulb Globe Temperature	Exposure exceeded recommended levels	Acclimatization, training on reporting of symptoms & work/rest schedule
Electrocution	White and Doherty, 2017^Citation31	Canada	Hazard assessment	Shock and arc flash hazards	Use of insulated gloves and PPE
	Wybo, 2013^Citation32	France	Focus Groups	Shock hazard during maintenance	Insulating gloves and covering of panels with light-proof film
Ergonomic risks	Bakhiyi et al, 2014^Citation33	NA	Review	Repetition, awkward postures, and sharp edges	Appropriate work methods
Fire	Falvo and Capparella, 2015^Citation34	USA	Case studies	Blindspot in protection device was the cause of the fire	Use of many small inverters & inspection of failure modes
	Dhere and Shiradkar, 2012^Citation35	NA	Case studies	Causes include open circuit, ground fault, and arching	Proper installation, safety regulations, avoiding chimney effect, etc.
Hazardous substances	Fthenakis and Moskowitz, 2000^Citation36	NA	Safety & Health study	Presence of chemicals in solar panels, batteries, and inverters are potential sources	Sustainable manufacturing, PPE, employee training, and safety procedures.
	Aman et al, 2015^Citation37	NA	Life Cycle Assessment	Presence of NH3, acetone, As, Si, Pb, HNO3, Cd, SF6, PBBs, PBDEs, HCI, H2, Cr-VI, Isopropanol, Toluene, Xylene and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane	Substitution of dangerous materials, eco-friendly manufacturing, and safe disposal
Psychosocial	Fernandez et al, 2017^Citation38	USA	Data Analysis	Job insecurity and work-life imbalance in green jobs	Surveillance of occupational psychosocial risks, protective interventions, and company policies
Lighting, hail, typhoons, strong winds, and flora	Kamenopoulos and Tsoutsos, 2015^Citation29	NA	Operational Risk Management tool	Work environment hazards	Design interventions to address the OSH risks

Note: NA: no specific mention of any particular region/country.

Abbreviations: PPE, personal protective equipment; NH₃, ammonia; As, arsenic; Si, silicon; Pb, lead; HNO₃, nitric acid; Cd, cadmium; SF6, sulphur hexafluoride; PBBs, polybrominated biphenyls; PBDEs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers; HCI, hydrochloric acid; H₂, hydrogen; Cr-VI, hexavalent chromium.

Table 3 Design Approaches in the Solar PV Industry

Author	Region	Type of Solar PV	Study Type	Design Scope	Design Objective
Dai et al, 2020^Citation59	Singapore	FSPV	Performance analysis	Efficiency, load-bearing ability, durability, and easy operation & maintenance	Better structural & operational performance
Ho et al, 2020^Citation60	USA	Roof-top PV	Case studies	Prevention-through Design protocol & attributes	Workplace safety
Li et al, 2020^Citation61	Australia	Roof-top PV	Simulation	Design of roof	Efficiency
Bao et al, 2020^Citation62	USA	Solar PV installations	Survey of stakeholders & homeowners	Human-Centered Design	Adaptability of solar PV
Hernández-Callejo et al, 2019^Citation63	NA	Solar PV installations	Review	Design, operation & maintenance	Increased efficiency and lower costs
Hong, 2019^Citation64	NA	Solar PV products	TRIZ innovation method	Design elements for better usability	Sustainable products
Cazzaniga et al, 2018^Citation65	Italy	FSPV	Performance analysis	Innovation in PV system design	Increased efficiency and lower costs
Bhang et al, 2018^Citation66	South Korea	FSPV	Predictive analysis	Use of grounding electrodes	Electrical safety
Bao et al, 2017^Citation67	USA	Roof-top PV	Consumer survey	Visual appearance of solar panels	Influencing the preference of solar panels
Kim et al, 2017^Citation68	South Korea	FSPV	Tech-commercial analysis	Design & construction of FSPV system	Cost-effectiveness
Balo and Şaǧbanşua, 2016^Citation69	NA	Solar panel	AHP	Solar panel characteristics	Influence on purchase decision
Scognamiglio, 2016^Citation70	NA	Ground PV	Ecological impact	Land-integrated photovoltaics	Ecological performance
Lee et al, 2014^Citation71	South Korea	FSPV	Performance analysis	The material of floating platform	Durability
Spertino and Corona, 2013^Citation72	Turin, Italy	Roof-top & Ground PV	Techno-economic analysis	Design of guidelines for PV system, maintenance & installation	Energy Efficiency

Note: NA: no specific mention of any particular region/country.

Abbreviations: AHP, analytical hierarchy process; TRIZ, theory and inventive problem solving.

Figure 4 Risk identification, existing interventions, and opportunities for ergonomics design interventions at various levels as revealed from the review. (Studies and author names are indicative and not exhaustive).

Figure 5 A proposed strategy for implementing design interventions in the FSPV sector. Notes: Types and levels of interventions (under choice of intervention in the figure) data from Bridger⁵ and 'steps in the design process' (under design strategy in the figure) data from Norman.⁷³

Table 4 Man-Machine Interfaces Involved in Floating Solar PV Plants, Occupational Risk Factors, Occupational Diseases, and Proposed Scope for Ergonomics Design Interventions

FSPV System Components	Occupational Risk Factors	Occupational Diseases/Conditions*	Design/Redesign Scope
Solar PV panel	Awkward postures during installation & unwieldy equipment.	Low Back Pain (LBP) & Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)	Lowering of loads and task rotation
Frames, clamps/nuts/bolts	Sharp edges and sub-optimal designs	Cuts, bruises, strains, and WMSDs	Layout redesign, lowering of loads
Water bodies, pontoons/floating structures, and walkways	Unstable platform/Wet-work exposure.	Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), slips, trips, drowning, and even fatalities	Workplace redesign, training, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Tools such as hammers, pliers, cutters, wire strippers, and manual cleaning equipment	Awkward & repetitive postures, noise, vibration, compression, and usability issues	Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, MSDs, cuts, bruises, and Hand Arm Vibration syndrome	Design/redesign of tools and/or PPE
Batteries, panels, and inverters	Toxic oxides and electrocution	Injury, burns, and even death from electrocution	Job aids/PPE
Cranes, connectors, wires & cables	Objects may fall, fall from height, slips, and electrocution	Head injuries and electrocution	PPE/Workplace redesign
Work environment	Heat, UV radiation, humidity, rain, snow, noise, dust, etc.	Heat illnesses, tinnitus, slips, falls, respiratory diseases, immune system disorders, skin cancer, and diseases of the eyes	Improvement in the environment, design of PPE, skin protective clothing, head & eye protection products, sun-safety training/awareness programs, and health monitoring
Work organization	Psychosocial	Job stress and absenteeism	Training, job design, shift rotation & job enlargement

Note: *Data from Stack and Ostrom,⁴ Bridger,⁵ and Modenese et al.⁸

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