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Worldwide, there is huge interest in alternative energy sources like wind power. In fact, the world's renewable energy capacity increased by a whopping 45% in 2020, and that figure is only expected to increase.
While these massive wind turbines used on wind farms promise to provide clean energy to millions, they require maintenance and repairs during which a wide range of wind turbine safety hazards must be managed. To safely lift equipment to the top of a wind turbine, which in some cases may be over 300 feet tall, industrial lift equipment and hoist lifting devices are a must.
Common Wind Turbine Maintenance and Repair Activities
Wind turbine maintenance includes a variety of processes and procedures necessary to keep them in working order. In addition to climbing and descending the ladders inside wind turbine towers, some of the tasks that wind farm maintenance workers undertake include:
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Examining Sensor Data - It's difficult to tell what's going on with a wind turbine from the ground. That's why there are sensors located at key points on the turbine that record data such as vibration, temperatures, lubrication levels, and more.
- Lubricate Moving Parts - Components such as gearboxes and bearings need to be well-lubricated in order for the wind turbine to operate smoothly. Wind techs enter the wind turbine on a regular basis to ensure there's enough lubrication.
- Electrical Connection Checks - Due to the vibrations and conditions inside the wind turbine, connections can become loose, causing issues with the production of power. Wind techs are responsible for making sure that all the connections within the system are firm.
- Emergency Repairs - As with any type of machine, a wind turbine can suddenly develop an issue such as a broken part or connection issue, and wind techs are called on to make the repair quickly, so the power keeps flowing.
Lifting Tools and Equipment That Make Wind Turbine Work Safer
All of these and other turbine maintenance tasks require a variety of tools and specialized equipment to be raised to the top of the turbine. Due to the dangerous nature of climbing to the top of a wind turbine and maneuvering while there, workers shouldn't personally carry tools or equipment beyond what can easily be attached to tool rings on their safety harnesses. The extra weight and loss of mobility can put a climber at severe risk of falling. Instead, it's a good idea to use hoist lifting devices or other industrial lift equipment to do the job.
Lifting equipment to consider includes:
- Wire Rope Hosts - Designed to lift anywhere from 100 to 1,100 lbs. (45 to 500 kg) a small electric wire rope hoist is a popular option for lifting tools and equipment up to the top of a wind turbine. Some hoists and ropes are even specifically engineered for use on wind turbines.
- Electric Chain Hoists - An alternative to a wire rope hoist, an electric chain hoist is both compact and low weight, with a working load limit up to 40,000 lbs (18 metric tons).
Besides standard lifting equipment, you should also consider using the following during any wind turbine maintenance jobs:
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Climb Assist - Climbing to the top of a wind turbine can be an exhausting exercise. While you should provide your workers with a ladder safety system to protect against falls, you may also want to give them a climbing boost to reduce fatigue and strain by utilizing a climb assist system.
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Load Measuring and Control - Guessing how much your load weighs is a recipe for disaster. Rather than stressing your equipment and putting people in danger, every load weight needs to be verified. Load weight control and testing is key. Visit our dedicated page to learn more.
Duty to Provide Falling Object Protection
In addition to your obligation to protect workers from fall hazards, you also need to keep people safe from falling objects. In fact, both OSHA and Canadian Occupational Health and Safety regulations require employers to take steps to minimize the possibility that items could fall from an elevated level and harm someone below. Anytime you're lifting heavy equipment and tools up to the height of a wind turbine, your ground crew and any ascending or descending workers are at risk
Use Training and Equipment to Minimize Wind Turbine Safety Hazards
The truth is that no matter how much safety equipment you have in place, you also need your employees to be well-trained and for safety to be a constant consideration at every level of your operation. From the moment your newly hired employee joins the company, it's imperative that they understand the importance of safety. Training specific to the hazards they'll face while working on a wind turbine are essential. This will include:
- Identifying wind turbine safety hazards and avoiding/mitigating them.
- Proper use of personal fall protection equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines.
- Safe use of hoist lifting devices or other industrial lift equipment used on the wind turbine.
- Procedures for testing load weights to ensure those lifting devices aren't overloaded.
- Best practices for securing equipment and tools to be lifted to the turbine.
Safety First, and Always
The hard-working men and women who keep wind turbines going put themselves at risk every day. You're already well aware of your obligations under local and federal laws to provide them a safe workplace. And you also know that the alternative energy market is a highly competitive place. If you fail to keep your workers safe, you'll lose ground, and your company could be in jeopardy. Stiff fines, lost productivity, and a ding to your reputation may be hard to recover from.
Get the Wind Turbine Safety Equipment Your Company Needs
Contact the safety experts at Tractel® today to discuss your wind turbine safety hazards and concerns. We'll help you choose the hoisting devices and equipment lifts that are most appropriate for your application. You can count on our staff of qualified safety experts to guide you for all your workplace safety needs and to provide the best worldwide support and service in the industry.