GWO training basics, technical and safety.

The GWO training basics, basic safety and basic technical training are fundamental aspects of the GWO training standards. We look at each in depth.

We sometimes overlook the GWO training basics so this week we’re going, err, back to basics! We look at the two fundamental GWO standards and what you can expect if you join us on one of our courses. Each was introduced in response to demands for recognisable standards in the wind turbine industry.

GWO Basic Safety Training

The original GWO training standard and a stalwart of our GWO training course portfolio. The Basic Safety Training standard was introduced in 2012. Consisting of five modules:

First Aid
Manual Handling
Fire Awareness
Working at Heights
Sea Survival

the training standard is designed to equip the worker with a broad and sufficient safety knowledge base to operate safely when working with wind turbines and in the wind energy sector. We look at each module in detail below, highlighting what technicians can expect to demonstrate once they have received adequate training.

First Aid

Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding of the importance of carrying out first aid in a safe manner in accordance with the legislative requirements of their geographic location and according to ERC and AHA guidelines.
Technicians will be able to identify and explain normal function, normal signs and symptoms of serious and minor injuries and illness related to the human body.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding and correct order of management in an emergency in a WTG environment.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of lifesaving First Aid using the Primary Survey A–B–C
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of Ordinary First Aid, the Secondary survey
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of First Aid equipment in a First Aid scenario

Manual Handling

Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding of the importance of carrying out work duties in a safe and sound manner in accordance with the legislative requirements of their geographic location.
Technicians will be able to identify aspects of their job tasks that could increase a worker’s risk of developing muscular/skeletal injuries.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding of safe practices of Manual Handling, including the correct handling of equipment.
Technicians will be able to identify signs and symptoms of injuries related to poor Manual Handling techniques and have knowledge of reporting methods.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate a problem solving approach to Manual Handling in a wind turbine environment.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate Manual Handling risk reduction techniques.

Fire Awareness

Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the development and spread of fire.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the causes of fires in wind turbines and the dangers related to this.
Technicians will be able to identify any sign of a fire in a wind turbine environment.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the contingency plans in a wind turbine environment including smoke detection and emergency escape procedures.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct actions on discovering a fire including correct operation and fire extinguishing by means of the firefighting equipment in a WTG.

Working at Heights

Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of hazards and risks associated with working at heights, specific to a WTG
Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding of current national legislation regarding working at heights.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct identification of PPE, including identification of European/Global standard markings e.g. harness, hard hat, lanyards, etc.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to correctly inspect, service, store and don the relevant PPE, e.g. harness, lanyards, fall arresters and work positioning equipment.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of the relevant PPE, e.g. harnesses lanyards, fall arresters and work positioning equipment. This includes correct identification of anchor points and correct ladder conduct.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate correct use of evacuation devices.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate how to approach rescue situations in WTGs and use rescue equipment efficiently.

Sea Survival

Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of dangers and symptoms related to hypothermia and drowning.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate understanding of the advantages and limitations of the different LSA, PPE and PFPE commonly used offshore in the wind energy industry and are able to don and use them accordingly.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate safe transfer from vessel to dock, vessel to foundation and vessel to vessel.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the emergency and safety procedures on installations, vessels and WTG.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate knowledge of SAR and GMDSS.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate recovery and First Aid treatment of a “man over board”.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate evacuation from “WTG” to water by means of “Constant Rate Descender”
Technicians will be able to demonstrate individual and collective survival techniques at sea

GWO Basic Technical Training

The GWO training basics the Basic Technical Training standard was introduced in 2017. The Basic Technical Training Standard consists of three modules and an additional installation module which can be taken after certification in the mechanical module. From 31st March 2018 all new technicians working for GWO member companies and their suppliers are expected to complete Basic Technical Training. Modules include:

Mechanical
Electrical
Hydraulic
Installation

The Basic Technical Training standard is designed to equip technicians with a strong practical knowledge of the key technical aspects of wind turbines. We cover each module in detail below.

Mechanical

Technicians will be able to explain the main components, mechanical systems and the basic operation of wind turbines.
Technicians will be able to explain risks and hazards associated with mechanics.
Technicians will be able to understand the principles of bolted and welded connections and their inspection.
Technicians will be able to explain demonstrate practical skills to use manual tightening and measuring tools.
Technicians will be able to explain demonstrate the correct use of hydraulic torque and tensioning tools.
Technicians will be able to explain the principles of a gearbox.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of the brake systems and demonstrate how to inspect them.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of the yaw system and explain how to inspect it.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of the cooling system and demonstrate how to inspect it.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of the lubrication system and demonstrate how to inspect it.

Electrical

Technicians will be able to explain the basics of electricity.
Technicians will be able to explain risks and hazards associated with electrical work.
Technicians will be able to explain the function and symbol of electrical components.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of different types of sensors.
Technicians will be able to explain and interpret a simple electrical diagram and demonstrate how to assembly it on a circuit.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate how to make correct and safe measurements.

Hydraulic

Technicians will be able to explain the basics of hydraulics
Technicians will be able to explain risks and hazards associated with hydraulic work
Technicians will be able to explain the function of different types of pumps and demonstrate how to check start/stop pressure of a pump
Technicians will be able to explain the function of different types of actuators.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of different types of valves.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of accumulators and demonstrate how to check and pre-charge them.
Technicians will be able to explain the function of different types of sensors.
Technicians will be able to identify the components which transfer the oil.
Technicians will be able to describe the handling of oil procedures.
Technicians will be able to identify and find different components on a hydraulic diagram.
Technicians will be able to demonstrate how to measure the hydraulic pressure accurately.

Installation

Technicians will be able to identify the main installation activities and explain the overallrisks and hazards associated with the installation environment
Technicians will be able to explain the checklist systemthroughout the complete installation process
Technicians will be able to explain the characteristics of the installation environment
Technicians will be able to explain the principles and standards for handling and storing goods and components onsite or within a storage area before and after installation
Technicians will be able to explain the basic principles of the lifting equipment
Technicians will be able to explain the basic preparation of main components before installation
Technicians will be able to explain the basic mechanical completion
Technicians will be able to demonstrate how to perform the basic electrical completion including the principles and standards for handling and installing cables
Technicians will be able to explain the basic hydraulic completion
Technicians will be able to explain the principles of operating external generators during installation
Technicians will be able to explain the basis of how to do a handover to commissioning

We hope this gives you a detailed overview of GWO training basics with all the courseinformation of what you will be expected to know and do once you have completed each of the major training standards. For more information and to book a course click the button below:

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