The offshore wind energy industry has continued to grow exponentially around the world, and the UK is no different. The reality is that with such growth comes a significant increase to its workforce, technological advancements and a move to deeper waters-all of which could exacerbate existing health and safety challenges and concerns. While efforts are being made to manage these challenges, many have suggested that more could be done. In this regard, with funding from the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) and partnership with the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL), a workshop was held on the 26th of May 2026.
The workshop was designed to explore three key issues. First was to determine the classification of the industry as low, medium or high-risk. Secondly, to determine the suitability of the current regulatory regime based on such classification. And finally, to explore the challenges of safety culture and the need for enhanced worker’s participation and engagement. Led by Dr Eddy Wifa, the workshop titled ‘The Cost of Safety: Offshore Wind Health and Safety Workshop’ saw a rigorous engagement of evidence-based research that underscored the need for proactive health and safety measures in the industry.
The gathering brought together top level professionals cutting across the academia, industry, regulators and trade unions and more. Harvested experiences of practitioners in the industry demonstrated how proactive safety mechanisms could portend better outcomes for the health and safety of workers and the protection of investments in the sector.
Topical issues from AUCEL scholars like Professor John Paterson examined the evolution of regulation and the need for pro-active regulation in the sector, while Professor Greg Gordon discussed ‘Risk Allocation, Commercial Liability and Offshore Safety’ wherein he established the moral hazard problem. Dr. Eddy Wifa led a call-to-action, premised on his presentation titled: ‘Regulatory Warnings and Lessons’ where he identified the lessons that must be gleaned from the safety case regulations for Health and Safety in the oil and Gas industry. Perspectives on innovative engineering practices emanated from Professor Feargal Brennan of the University of Strathclyde, and David Dimelow of DNV in advocating the Pragmatic Safety Case. David Rowel of DNV, equally shared some insightful data sets, satistics and findings from his research, which supports better regulation for the sector.
The intricate link between safety, health and workers’ welfare was strengthened by an ongoing five-year long joint academic research by the Schools of Psychology at the 51cg and Robert Gordon University in the work led by Dr. Ruby Roberts, Prof. Rhona Flin and Dr. Nejc Sedlar, while industry perspectives to Offshore Wind Safety was proferred by Industry representative from G+, Mariana Carvalho. Comparative jusrisdictional experiences were drawn across Europe and more especially between the United Kingdom and Norway by the presentations of Hilda Kjeldstad, Director of Advisory and Regulatory Affairs, Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority and Tone Njólstad Slotsvik of NORCE, respectively.
Lastly, our gratitude goes to the tradesmen and other practitioners like Jake Molloy who made the voices of workers heard at the workshop. AUCEL is really thankful to have received such meaningful participation from the relevant professionals and would continue to explore measures of keeping the conversations alive.
Kindly find the details of the Workshop’s Report below.
For AUCEL
