GLOBAL GLOBALWIND WINDORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION SUGGEST SUGGESTIT’S IT’STIME TIMETO TOUPGRADE UPGRADECERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDERS, those companies that maintain wind turbines at wind plants around the country, generally work under OSHA and ANSI safety standards. But what of the technicians who travel the world maintaining turbines in a different country every week? They would have to work under dozens of different standards. Expecting a person to meet such a mishmash of work requirements might be difficult to justify. Just as ISO works to harmonize worldwide engineering standards, the Global Wind Organization works to equalize wind tech skills in four key areas: first aid, manual handling, fire awareness, and working at height. A fifth area, sea survival, would be added for those working offshore. It’s a good idea, but how does one earn GWO certificate? Recently, ENSA North America, a division of Mallory Safety & Supply, was approved by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance to teach GWO training. “Siemens recognizes its importance, enough to offer the training at their facility in Florida. In fact, a wind technician must be GWO certified if he or she wants to work on a Siemens site,” says Becky Danielson, an instructor and market channel administrator for ENSA. She says to expect more OEMs and owners to require GWO approval.
ENSA can bring is portable tower to a job site for training. GWO guidelines for first aid, manual handling, fire awareness, and working at height provide a universal approach to the industry’s global presence.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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www.windpowerengineering.com
JUNE 2015
6/18/15 7:34 PM