Thursday, September 15, 2016

A Look At Wind Turbine Safety Precautions

By Karen Lewis


Gale as a source of energy is increasingly gaining popularity because of the minimum effect it has on the surrounding. It is environment friendly as it does not emit dangerous gases. Similar to other sectors, there are health risks involved in this energy sector. Wind turbine safety is critical because employees are exposed to these risks when they operate them. By putting the right security measures, risks will be minimized.

A demand for workers has been on the rise in this sector especially in occupational areas where there are high health risks. People are reluctant to work in such void areas simply because the dangers exceed the benefits. If such environments are made safe, more and more people may think of occupying these positions and the looming labour shortage may be a thing of the past.

If proper research is done on how components of turbines operate at different times, parts carrying heavy loads that are worn out should be subjected to less pressure. The staff should therefore perform duties only after the conditions are able to serve their well-being well. Power sources should be switched off in order to reduce the rate at which the rotor is rotating.

The engine and rotor are located high from the ground. Though a challenge, the management ought to make sure operations in such heights are controlled and managed. Enclosed areas pose danger to workers. Moreover, caution needs to be observed when making an electrical and mechanical connection. All this work needs to be done wearing the right clothing all the time.

Tapping wind energy means turbines must be rooted in remote areas far from city buildings. Managing the working environment here becomes challenging. Such areas offer a poor working setting for workers. It is therefore, important that accidents which occur in such areas be recorded to aid in communicating about such risky regions and as a means of transferring this information with other related industries.

Minimizing health risks when working with turbines can be achieved if technology is properly utilized. This has a first-hand effect on safety because, if the technical issues are addressed, there will be a lessened need for repairs. Moreover, if diagnostics are improved, there is minimum breakdown cases which in turn reduce servicing. Many workers become less prone to health hazards.

To improve staff welfare, adequate training should be offered to them. Training upholds competency and safety as they know what ought to be done. The energy sector, particularly wind sector, has been keen to provide a standard training protocol for the workers. If the policies of training is well adopted and effected, cases of accidents will be less reported.

Many at times, turbine workers need to diagnose a certain malfunction in these machines. They need proper safety gear to be able to conduct such duties. The availability of well updated technological devices. Tools to enable them access the rotor must be easy to obtain. As an example, an automatically steered drone may be contributory in the diagnosis of an ill functioning turbine. This takes away the need for technical crew to climb up to the dangerous heights.




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