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Alternative energy sources like wind power are slowly replacing fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources. That's good news for the environment and the job market.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 85,000 Americans are currently employed in the wind power industry and related fields. But with all this growth comes added challenges and risks for workers in the industry. If you're among the growing number of wind farm owners, operators, managers, and technicians, you know that wind turbine safety has to be a top priority.
Wind Turbine Safety Basics
It's no secret that wind turbines are very tall structures. Turbines are commonly built well over 350 feet high to harness the winds at altitudes where they are stronger and more consistent. While this is good for energy production, it creates a potentially dangerous situation for employees. Both OSHA and Canadian Occupational Health and Safety codes require you to provide fall protection whenever workers are performing their duties at height.
In addition to providing protection against falls, you also need to address a few other large concerns in wind turbine maintenance: moving heavy equipment safely and keeping technicians safe while they’re working in confined spaces. All of these issues can be managed through planning, training, and using the proper safety systems and equipment where and when they’re needed. Here are a few pieces of essential safety equipment for wind techs as they work at height on a wind turbine:
Climb Assist System
Performing maintenance on a wind turbine often requires a wind tech to ascend to the turbine’s nacelle. And the most common way to do that is by climbing an interior ladder in the turbine’s tower that can often rise over 300 feet tall. This creates a severe fall risk for any tech and the fatigue and strain from the climb are a significant wind turbine safety hazard in their own right. A climb assist system provides lift during the climb via a small motor (or counterweight system in older models), alleviating a significant portion of the worker’s own body weight and reducing the time and effort it takes to ascend a wind turbine. This reduces injuries related to climbing strain, as well as the risk of falls that can result from them.
Wind Turbine Ladder Safety System
A ladder safety system that consists of a carrier and safety sleeve, as well as a fall arrest lanyard, connectors, and fall protection harness will greatly reduce the risk of falls during these climbs.
In addition to using the ladder safety system, workers should also maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times. For example, one foot and both hands, or both feet and one hand. A work positioning lanyard (which is separate from a fall arrest lanyard), may act as one of these points of contact, allowing a worker to safely use both hands for other tasks while remaining safe on the ladder.
Fall Protection Harness
A safety harness is an essential part of safely working on a wind turbine. Wind techs should be issued a fall protection harness that is the appropriate size and that has enough padding to be comfortable. Harness models made for use in the wind power industry combine ample padding, multiple points of adjustment, and reduced weight to avoid strain on workers during prolonged use. Techs should be trained on how to properly wear and use the harness, and how to inspect the harness to ensure it's in good condition before and after every use.
Height Safety Lanyards
Another key component of a wind turbine protection system is a height safety lanyard. A lanyard is typically made of webbing and attaches to the dorsal D-ring on a worker’s safety harness which is then connected to a lifeline or an anchor point. A safety lanyard typically features a shock-absorbing construction or device woven into the lanyard that reduces impact in the event of a fall. Both single arm and double-arm safety lanyards are commonly used by workers on wind turbines.
Controlled Descent Systems
Any worker on a turbine that becomes injured will require rescue. In addition to needing the same fall protections mentioned above as they ascend the turbine, rescuers need a way to get the injured worker(s) down. Safely lowering a person from great heights requires specialized equipment, such as a descent device. The descent device limits the speed at which a person is lowered, and it may include a winch to allow injured individuals to be lifted as part of the rescue process. These devices are typically bought as part of a kit which includes slings, karabiners, and other important accessories.
Equipment Lifts and Hoists
In addition to getting workers safely up and down the wind turbine, you also need to be concerned about tools and equipment. While the tool rings on their harnesses allow some small tools to be brought up by an individual worker, wind techs can't carry everything, and some pieces of equipment are just too heavy anyway. The way around this dilemma is to employ an equipment lift to do the job. Most manual wire rope hoists can handle anywhere from 500 lbs. to 2,000 lbs. and mechanized versions can handle as much as 40,000 lb. loads.
Load Measurement and Controls
When attempting to move equipment, tools, and parts up to the top of a wind turbine, you absolutely must get the weight right. If you don't, you could cause serious damage to the lift equipment, and someone could get hurt. There's no excuse for guessing when there are devices available to measure anything from 40 lb. weights up to 250 tons with precise accuracy. Weighing every load before it's lifted ensures your lifting equipment doesn't get overloaded or damaged and that everyone stays safe. Visit our page to learn more about our solutions.
Confined Space Safety
While height is the main safety concern for wind turbine techs, it's not the only danger they face. Once they've safely climbed to the nacelle at the top of the turbine, they'll often need to access the interior. An interior part of the nacelle is considered a confined space due to the fact that it's not intended for continuous use by people, and it has limited entry and exit options. A fall protection harness, harness lanyard, and lifeline should be used to protect workers and specialized confined space safety equipment should be utilized to facilitate a rescue in the event of an accident or incident inside the confined space.
Wind Turbine Safety Equipment and Expertise
Building, servicing, and maintaining wind turbines is dangerous work. When you're taking steps to ensure your wind techs’ safety, turn to Tractel® for the most comprehensive line of wind industry safety equipment. Whether you need fall protection products, rescue devices, or equipment lifts, we have the OSHA- and Canadian-regulation-compliant safety equipment you need. Not sure what types of wind turbine safety equipment you need? Contact one of our wind turbine safety experts today for a consultation.