Sulzer Schmid and ENERTRAG Betrieb have teamed up to provide a new wind turbine blade inspection solution that integrates ENERTRAG Betrieb’s lightning protection systems (LPS) testing solution with Sulzer Schmid’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and digital inspection platform. This collaboration will enable LPS testing to be carried out at the same time as rotor…

By Wesley Witt, chair, and Kristy Abel, vice chair, GWO North America Committee The amount of standardized safety training continues to increase year-over-year across North America in the wind industry because companies gain productivity and a more flexible workforce, while workers are more easily hired and valuable to their employers. In 2020, the number of…

By Sam Heim, Media Specialist, Petzl The wind technician career is projected to have the highest job growth rate in the United States for the next eight years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected percent change in employment from 2019 to 2029 for wind techs is 61%; the average job growth rate…

Reygar, an offshore renewable energy sector monitoring systems provider, has been commissioned to develop an industry-first motion comfort monitoring tool within BareFLEET, Reygar’s remote monitoring and reporting platform. The new tool will track and analyze motion, fuel consumption and crew sickness in different cabin locations, with a specific focus on boosting safety and fitness to…

Dropsafe, a drop prevention solutions manufacturer, has called for a more systematic approach to tackling drops throughout the offshore wind supply chain. This follows the publication of 2019 data by the G+ Global Offshore Wind Safety Organisation showing an overall rise in reported drop incidents in the sector. Dropsafe maintains that rather than focusing drops…

The use of rope-based descent (RBD) systems for emergency evacuation in the wind energy sector could be reduced given the encouraging market response to Evacuator, a fireproof, rapid descent system capable of getting single and multiple crew members working at heights of up to 300 m to safety in an emergency situation. Evacuator can mean…

DXC Technology has introduced its Corporate Incident Response (CIR) application for ServiceNow to enable organizations like the Nordex Group, one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, to quickly and proactively identify, address and manage important non-IT corporate incidents, such as those related to facilities, physical security, and environment, health and safety. The application, built…

Pure Safety Group (PSG), manufacturer of fall protection equipment used by workers at height, has introduced the new Checkmate Xplorer industrial full body harness for fall protection to the U.S. market. The harness, designed to be more comfortable than conventional harnesses during periods of suspension and frequent loading, features visual alert stitching, an intuitive way…

Demand from major wind energy employers for standardized safety training has led to a major increase in the use of Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards in North America. The training, which covers basic safety and technical skills for one of the fastest-growing jobs in America, almost doubled in 2019, with training providers across key wind…

Petzl, manufacturer of professional safety equipment, will release an updated VOLT harness line this March. The VOLT harness line is designed to provide fall protection and comfortable work positioning for those working on towers or inside wind turbines. Both models, the VOLT and VOLT WIND are easy to put on and take off with FAST…

By Donavon Graves, Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning, Skyward – a Verizon company Drone inspections play a vital role in preventive maintenance of vertical structures, ships, worksites and horizontal infrastructure like railroad tracks and power lines. Therefore, connected drones are the next phase of this technology. In the near future, the main mode…

Grace Industries has introduced a new line of lone worker fall suspension alert-notification products for people who work at heights. After a fall, the response time is critical for a worker hanging for a prolonged period of time placing them at serious risk of suspension trauma. Suspension trauma, also known as orthostatic intolerance or harness…

NRG Systems, a designer and manufacturer of smart technologies for a range of wind, solar and meteorological applications, has signed a strategic agreement with Vestas Wind Systems A/S to offer turnkey Bat Deterrent Systems, complete with installation and service, for existing Vestas turbines. The global agreement covers Vestas turbines in all regions but is initially…

3S Americas, a subsidiary of 3S Lift, is proud to announce the installation of 33 Climb Auto Systems on wind projects in the northern Midwest. “We are very excited to have partnered with a large regulated utility in the upper Midwest who shares similar values with 3S Lift: to improve health and safety, increase turbine…

In preparation of the winter months ahead, Ergodyne announced its launch of new products to their extensive line of N-Ferno cold-weather gear. These new additions come just in time as retailers and customers start to think ahead to the winter months. “We listened to worker feedback on the type of protection they need on the job…

Pure Safety Group (PSG), the world’s largest independent height safety product development and training company, has named Joseph Piccione as chief executive officer, effective immediately. “Joe’s track record of growing companies internationally and leading teams to consistent results with a keen focus on the customer are key as PSG continues its international expansion and innovation…

G+, a global health and safety organization for the offshore wind industry, has compiled much-needed safety recommendations for wind-farm owners and operators on the risks posed by dropped objects: the Reliable Securing Booklet for Offshore Wind. Publication of the reliable securing guidelines has come off the back of 2018 safety statistics released by G+, which demonstrate…

Enerpac manufacturers tools and accessories designed to increase productivity while making work safer and easier to perform — including for jobs at wind sites. Windpower Engineering & Development recently asked the company to answer three key questions about tools and safety in the wind industry. Here are the answers… 1.What’s new in tools for the…

NSF International subsidiary NSF Certification, LLC has been accredited as a certification body for the Global Wind Organisation (GWO). The accreditation enables NSF to audit and certify wind-turbine training facilities to GWO’s suite of safety standards. “Our industry needs access to more standardized safety and technical training, and this means more GWO training providers in…

Ergodyne‘s new Skullerz Lightweight Bump Caps offer durable head protection against bumps, scrapes, and bruises in areas with low ceilings, overhead beams, or other tight spaces and confined quarters. The new versions are designed to be lighter, cooler, and more comfortable than their predecessors. These bump caps weigh in at 40% lighter than the previous…