A Gravitec instructor hooked into a fall restraint system. During the challenge portion of Gravitec's Competent Wind Turbine Climber and Rescue course, students must select and use the proper fall protection system for each job scenario.
A Gravitec instructor descending a wind turbine in Central Washington State.
In addition to our Competent Wind Turbine Climber & Rescue course, Gravitec offers custom courses for the wind industry at our training facility or at remote locations worldwide.
Gravitec has consulted on fall protection systems for maintenance of wind turbines in Central Washington State.
Course Description
This course trains wind industry climbers in the principles of fall protection and rescue. This course is designed for climbers who are required to assemble and use their own fall protection systems. Focusing on the use of a planned approach to working at heights, the course begins with basic fall protection principles, including the five methods of the fall protection hierarchy. It then emphasizes the most common methods utilized to protect climbers from the various fall hazards encountered on towers and nacelles with an overview of commercially-available fall arrest systems. The function and use of each piece of equipment is discussed during interactive classroom sessions and followed with extensive hands-on activities for gaining practical experience. During the challenge portion of the course, students must demonstrate good judgment in selecting and using the proper fall protection system for each job scenario. The rescue portion of this course focuses on simplicity and safety, utilizing techniques that can be taught in a few hours with a high level of retention and without introducing traditional and complex high-angle rescue skills. By selecting the right piece of equipment, many skill sets can be eliminated. Written and practical tests are administered to ensure that the principles presented in the course are understood. Documentation is available to satisfy your company’s due diligence and regulatory requirements.
This course meets the Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training, the highest industry standards for training, published by the American Society of Safety Engineers ANSI/ASSE A490.1-2001.
Gravitec can supply all necessary fall protection equipment for this course.
No cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants or similar devices will be permitted during training.
Course Duration
Five Days (40 hours)Class Size
Minimum 8, Maximum 10 (1 Instructor); Minimum 11, Maximum 18 (2 Instructors)Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be capable of using a planned approach to tower climbing and rescues using state-of-the art techniques and equipment. They will be fluent in their knowledge of the vast majority of commercially-available fall protection systems and equipment and have the ability to identify job-site fall hazards. They will also be capable of creating, selecting, and executing the safest, most appropriate fall protection and rescue techniques for workers at height. They will possess the knowledge and skills to implement all components of three distinct standard tower rescue plans, including strategies for protecting rescuers and methods for anchoring, packaging, and lowering. Participants will understand and be able to use group problem-solving and leadership techniques to plan and implement these rescues. Depending on where the course is taught, participants have the opportunity to create and implement rescue techniques that are best suited for that particular site.
Participants will have advanced knowledge of the following:
- Fundamental Theories and Principles of Fall Protection
- Donning a Full-Body Harness
- Anchorage Points (Engineered and Non-Engineered)
- Hardware Compatibility
- Connecting Means (New Standards and Designs)
- Energy Absorbing Lanyards
- Commercially-Available Fall Arrest Systems
- Self-Retracting Lifelines
- Vertical Lifelines
- Horizontal Lifelines
- Ladder Climbing Devices
- Work Positioning Systems
- Selecting and Installing Systems
- Calculating Clearance Requirements
- Standards and Regulations Affecting the Industry
- Rescue Demonstration
- Pre-Climb Checklists and Rescue Plans
- Rescue System Components
- Anchoring the Rescue System
- Descent Control
- Connecting to the Patient – Positive Load Transfer
- Packaging and Lowering the Patient
- Personal or Assisted Nacelle Emergency Egress
- Assisted Mechanical I'D Rescue (Up to 600 feet)
