Bainbridge Island, Wash. - October 28, 2008 - Fall protection industry specialist Gravitec Systems, Inc., has released the G4 Wind Turbine Rescue and Evacuation System. The G4 is designed for the wind energy industry and addresses the need for a user-friendly, high-angle rescue system that can be used to quickly rescue or evacuate personnel from at-height locations on turbines.
In a matter of minutes, the system can be configured to facilitate one- or two-person rescues utilizing overhead anchorages. It can also be used to manipulate casualties around corners or to lift, lower or drag an incapacitated worker. Unlike other rescue systems, the G4’s design virtually eliminates rope entanglement in windy environments.
Gravitec began developing the G4 last year. The system has been tested by wind industry personnel in classroom and practical scenarios at the Gravitec Training Institute, North America’s largest hands-on training facility devoted to fall protection.
“The G4 was developed to meet the various rescue and evacuation demands in the wind industry. After visiting hundreds of turbines and listening to the needs of wind industry personnel, it was clear that many of the current systems on the market could not perform every necessary job. Automatic descent control devices work great in evacuation situations but fall short when lifting or hauling a rescue subject. Block and tackle systems lift very well but are slow in the event of an evacuation and require hundreds of feet of rope. The G4 is an assembly of rescue equipment specifically selected for use in wind turbines to handle four basic rescue functions including lifting, hauling, evacuation and assisted rescue,” says Kevin Denis, Training Manager for Gravitec Systems, Inc.
Each system is enclosed in a weatherproof PVC storage bag and is individually numbered for easy tracking. A detailed user manual and plasticized, quick-view instruction cards illustrating the G4’s configurations for rescue or evacuation are also incorporated into the system.
Gravitec can also develop custom rescue and evacuation kits for other industries with workers at height. In addition to the G4, Gravitec currently offers a rescue kit designed for tower workers and the construction industry.
Since 1986, Gravitec Systems, Inc., has been committed to fall protection and rescue in industrial settings. It is Gravitec’s mission to protect the lives, health and jobs of those who work at heights by providing a full range of fall protection services worldwide. The core elements of Gravitec's services include training, engineering, consulting, testing and technical equipment sales. For more information, contact Gravitec at 800.755.8455.
