WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

SPONSORS OF Height & Confined Spaces WorkAs turbinesget higherso do theriskswork at height safetyFalls from height remain one of themost common causes of fatalityand major injuries in the workplace,being the cause of 14% of all majorworkplace injuries in 2012 accordingto the HSE Annual Statistics Report.If we then look at the environment forworkers in the Wind Energy sector,where wind turbines can reach up to 110metres, the importance of high safetystandards for working at heights is furtheremphasised.Safety TechnologySafety Technology is one of the country’sleading working at heights safetyspecialists, and face the challenging task ofdeveloping safety courses and equipmentto meet the ever expanding and evolvingindustry of wind energy generation.Global safety standardAs a RenewableUK approved trainingprovider, the company delivers nationallyrecognised work at height safety courseswhich are continuously being developed tomeet the unique and changing demandsof the wind farm environment.This recognised safetyprogramme workswell in the UK,but as more andmorecompanies begin operating across multiplecountries it has been identified that thisstandard needs to be recognised globally,to give companies the security of knowingemployees are trained to a universal highstandard in safe work practices.Global Wind Organisation (GWO)In 2011 the GWO standard was set up bythe industry’s leading wind turbine ownersand manufacturers, to ensure an injuryfreework environment for constructionand operation in the wind energy sectorglobally. This Basic Safety Trainingcomprises of five modules, one of whichfocuses solely on Working at Heightssafety in the Wind Energy sector.Safety Technology is among a handfulof training providers who can now offermodules from this Basic Safety Trainingthroughout the UK, including Working atHeights, Manual Handling, First Aid andFire Awareness.AccreditationCombined with the company’sRenewableUK approval Safety Technologycan provide joint GWO and RenewableUKaccreditation for work at height safetytraining to the sector.Managing Director of Safety Technology,Bob Dickens, said on the recentaccreditation “We are delighted toachieve multiple RenewableUK GWOaccreditation. We have worked closelywith GWO members and RenewableUKover the last couple of years and theimplementation of a Basic Safety Trainingstandard has long been our goal. It willenable us to deliver the same high qualityaccredited training in different locationsand countries that will be recognised bythe industry’s major wind companies andWind Associations”.Safety Technology can offer this combinedaccreditation for Working at Heights safetytraining from both their headquarters inSouth Wales, and NAREC’s training facilityin Blyth. Further facilities are located inGreat Yarmouth, Europe and the USA.Safety equipment for working atheightsSafety training is not the only string toSafety Technology’s bow; the SouthWales based company also offer a rangeof fall arrest and rescue equipment forworking at heights.Their extensive range includes productsfrom industry leaders such as; Cresto,Skylotec and Fall Safe, as well as theirown product range Sirocco by STL®.The Sirocco by STL® collection hasbeen designed and manufacturedby the company to meet the specificrequirements for working at heights in theWind Energy sector.Through working closely with techniciansin the field, the products have beendeveloped to incorporate unique featuresto ensure the safety of users whenworking in and around wind turbines.Fully certified inspection and maintenanceof all equipment supplied can also beconducted from Safety Technology’sfacilities.Looking to the futureTo guarantee the wind industry remainsa safe place to work it is vital thatcompanies such as Safety Technologycontinue to develop and maintain a highquality of training and PPE for individualsworking at heights.By ensuring the safety of the work force theindustry as a whole can continue to grow.Safety Technologywww.safetytechnology.co.uk88www.windenergynetwork.co.uk