RESCUE EQUIPMENT RESCUE PLAN
When working at such extreme heights and from multiple points on a wind turbine, a rescue plan, including rescue kit must be in place. Whilst carrying out repairs, replacements and essential maintenance work rescue may be needed from various different points on the turbine, from the nucleus to the motor room, ladder or even blades.
With wind turbines standing up to 80 metres tall and adverse working conditions presented by the unpredictable climate, it is imperative that employers ensure that workers are sufficiently protected when working at height.
REDUCING RISK
Duty bound by the Work at Height Regulations 2005 to eliminate or reduce the risks, employers must ensure that workers are professionally trained and provided with fit for purpose Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working at height. The Regulations prescribe collective protection (barriers) as the most favourable and fall arrest as the least favourable means of protection.
The wind energy industry is no different from any other, indeed it has very specific demands in terms of height safety and often requires fall arrest techniques to be employed.
If someone is injured or needs to evacuate, there is a strong likelihood this could be from a difficult location. There is no time for delay in a rescue situation, a prolonged wait is dangerous and could lead to further injuries or death, particularly if they are left in suspension. This is no longer the case as innovative rescue equipment enables your rescue plan including your rescue kit to be flexible and reliable to react to any scenario.
SELECTING THE RIGHT RESCUE KIT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE The Skylotec Milan 2.0 hub is specifically designed for evacuation and rescue from wind turbines, offshore platforms and other structures. This gives technicians the complete solution for evacuation, self- rescue and assisted rescue for others. The Milan 2.0 Hub has an additional lifting function. If a casualty is suspended from a fall arrest system in a difficult location, the lifting function enables the casualty to be lifted across a short distance, from which their lanyards can be released and they can be safely lowered.
Another factor to selecting the right rescue kit is to consider the maintenance and servicing of the kit. The rescue kit may not always be easily accessible to be taken up and down the turbine for a service every year but needs to be in safe working order.
BESPOKE STORAGE SYSTEM The Skylotec Milan can be supplied in a ‘Sealpac’ which is a storage system that permits the equipment to have a service regime (by a qualified person) of ten years. It is equipped with a humidity indicator that shows the relative humidity of the atmosphere within it and the indicator must be checked at least once a year by a competent person, which can be done in-situ.
If the humidity is within certain limits the equipment can be returned to service – if however the indicator shows high moisture levels, the Milan, rope and associated equipment must be given a full inspection and service by a Skylotec authorised service centre.
PROTECTION
The Sealpac and ancillary equipment is protected from the elements and physical damage by a sturdy aluminium box, this can be kept close at hand in the nacelle.
Total Access, now part of the Arco family, is a premium distributor of the Skylotec Milan, as well as being an independent supplier of working at height safety equipment.
Total Access Click to view more info
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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