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Receive best in class blade repair training with Tech Safety Lines

Blade Repair Training At Tech Safety Lines

Welcome to Tech Safety Lines' Blade Repair Training Center. This 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the art facility is equipped with the latest tools and technology as well as large sections of wind turbine blades.  With 20 years of unmatched expertise in the wind industry, Tech Safety Lines has the team, the tools, and the training facility to ensure your workforce can meet the demands and challenges in the field. Check out TSL's Blade Repair Training Courses:  GWO Blade Repair, Advanced Blade Repair Training – Spar Cap Repair & Advanced Lamination Techniques, and Advanced Blade Repair Training – Internal Blade Repair & Advanced Lamination Techniques

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With over 40,000 sq. ft. in Dallas, TX, Tech Safety Lines' award winning training facilities for workers at height are best in class.

Tech Safety Lines' Award Winning Training Facilities For Workers At Height

Located in the DFW Metroplex, Tech Safety Lines proudly operates three state-of-the-art training facilities, spanning an impressive 40,000 square feet. Our spaces are equipped with customized training props, designed to simulate real-life situations, ensuring an unmatched practical training experience.  In addition to our state-of-the-art facilities, we also have a highly skilled training staff. Every instructor on our team boasts a rich background in firefighting, EMT, search and rescue operations, and other industry experience, empowering us to deliver uniquely comprehensive, field-tested safety training. At Tech Safety Lines, we don't just meet industry standards - we redefine them.

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Premier Training Facilities for Workers at Height

Discover how Tech Safety Lines, a GWO certified training provider, ensures high safety standards and quality training in the wind energy sector. Read our articles to learn more about our certification and offerings.

Tech Safety Lines: A Certified GWO Training Provider | Articles & News

Tech Safety Lines is a GWO Certified Training Provider. With more than 30,000 square feet of instruction space in Dallas, TX, we are proud to add the Global Wind Organizations training curriculum to the list of services we provide the wind industry. Tech Safety Lines offers GWO Training courses including Basic Safety Training, Advanced Rescue Training, Basic Technical Training and Enhanced First Aid with more modules coming soon.

If you are new to Tech Safety Lines, we are a safety and rescue training provider and quality equipment manufacturer with more than 20 years of experience offering exceptional service to our partners in 35 countries worldwide.

We are strong believers in 3rd party auditing and certifications. In addition to being a certified GWO Training Provider, we are an ISO 9001:2015 certified Woman Owned Small Business and our micro self-rescue equipment is certified by TÜV SÜD and Underwriters Laboratory to the ANSI and CE standards.

Tech Safety Lines’ multi-lingual trainers set the bar for safety and lifesaving skills. Most of our trainers have been instructors at TSL for over a decade and they are also members of the Dallas Fire Departments Technical Rescue Team and Urban Search and Rescue. Our instructors have trained and consulted on a variety of wind turbines and structures around the world.

The combination of the training our instructors receive annually as firefighters, swift water rescue experts, trench rescue, structural collapse, emergency medical paramedics, rope rescue, confined space rescue experts, and more, along with Tech Safety Lines’ internal ongoing training tailored to the wind industry, ensures that our clients are learning from the most capable instructors available.

The Global Wind Organization aims to streamline the training of wind technicians globally to create a stronger and safer workforce. As GWO has expanded into the United States, Tech Safety Lines is committed to contribute to this effort. By providing GWO certified training, Tech Safety Lines gives customers a sense of comfort in terms of adherence to EHS plans and overall safety targets. The use of GWO trained personnel ensures employers that their technicians have a unified level of understanding and ability.  This assurance will increase productivity and improve quality standards.

Since our inception, 20 years ago, our mission has always been to provide our clients with exceptional and realistic safety training. We are happy to be a GWO certified training provider and look forward to supporting the wind industry together.

Interested in getting your team certified?  Learn more about Tech Safety Lines’ GWO training below.

Tech Safety Lines is a GWO Certified Training Provider

Tech Safety Lines Unveils State-of-the-Art Blade Repair Training Center, Revolutionizing Educational Opportunities for Blade Technicians

Dallas, 8/1/2023 – Tech Safety Lines, a leading provider of innovative safety solutions for the renewable energy industry, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its brand-new Blade Repair Training Center. This cutting-edge facility is set to revolutionize educational opportunities for blade repair technicians by offering comprehensive and specialized training programs.

The Blade Repair Training Center, strategically located in Dallas, marks a significant milestone in Tech Safety Lines’ commitment to advancing safety standards, enhancing skill development, and promoting sustainable wind energy practices. With an unwavering focus on elevating industry safety and standards, the center will cater to both seasoned technicians seeking to enhance their expertise and newcomers looking to embark on a rewarding career in blade repair.

“We are proud to inaugurate our Blade Repair Training Center, which showcases our dedication to fostering a safer and more proficient wind energy workforce,” said Diane Waghorne, CEO of Tech Safety Lines. “As the demand for renewable energy continues to soar, it is essential to equip professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain wind turbine blades at the highest level of efficiency and safety.”

The state-of-the-art training center boasts an expansive facility equipped with cutting-edge technologies, providing a simulated environment for technicians to learn and practice various blade repair techniques. Trainees will have access to hands-on experience using actual blade sections, replicating real-life scenarios and challenges they might encounter in the field.

Key features of the Blade Repair Training Center include:

Specialized Training Programs: Tailored courses designed by industry experts, covering the latest repair techniques, safety protocols, and best practices to ensure optimal blade performance.

Certified Instructors: Highly skilled and certified instructors with extensive experience in the wind energy sector will lead the training programs, offering invaluable insights and guidance.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: The center is equipped with the latest equipment and tools per industry standards, providing trainees with valuable real-world experience.

Hands-on Learning: Trainees will have the opportunity to practice repairs on full-scale or mock-up blade segments in a controlled environment, fostering practical expertise and confidence.

Compliant with Industry Standards: The training center aligns with the Global Wind Organization standards, ensuring that technicians receive top-tier instruction that meets or exceeds safety and quality guidelines. 

Tech Safety Lines is committed to empowering individuals with the expertise needed to contribute to the success and sustainability of the wind energy sector. Through the Blade Repair Training Center, the company aims to bridge the skills gap and inspire a new generation of highly skilled blade repair technicians.

Advanced Blade Repair Training – Spar Cap Repair & Advanced Lamination Techniques

Advanced Blade Repair Training – Internal Blade Repair & Advanced Lamination Techniques

For more information about Tech Safety Lines’ Blade Repair Training Center, including enrollment opportunities and course offerings, visit www.TechSafetyLines.com or contact info@techsafetylines.com.

About Tech Safety Lines: Tech Safety Lines is a leading provider of cutting-edge safety solutions and training services for the renewable energy industry. With a mission to promote safety, efficiency, and sustainability in wind energy operations, Tech Safety Lines offers a comprehensive range of services, including fall protection, rescue systems, and specialized training programs.

Tech Safety Lines Unveils State-of-the-Art Blade Repair Training Center

Tech Safety Lines is honored and humbled that the SRK-11 has been selected by esteemed judges to win the Gold Award for Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Aerial Platforms (LLEAP).

For the last 13 years, Lift & Access and Crane Hotline publications have recognized innovative products that propel the industry forward. The SRK-11 is the only product in our category, “Aftermarket Product Support and Services”, to receive the Gold LLEAP Award.

One judge commented, “Interesting and innovative way to self-rescue — at heights up to 600 ft. Impressive.”

The SRK-11 is a micro self-rescue and evacuation kit that has been 3rd party certified by UL as meeting the ANSI standard Z359.4-2013 which incorporates the safety requirements for assisted-rescue, and self-rescue systems, subsystems, and components. Users appreciate that this kit is easy to use, durable, and lightweight. The SRK-11 includes 6 mm high heat rope and the MCD (Military Compact Descender) that features a dual breaking system.

See the below video demonstration of how the SRK-11 is used in an evacuation and self-rescue from an aerial lift.

Aerial Lift Rescue Short.mp4

Thank you to Lift & Access, Crane Hotline, the judges, and all of the safety professionals that work hard to keep their colleagues safe on the job.

Read the full article in the November-December issue of Lift & Access Magazine.

The SRK-11 Wins the Gold! 2018 LLEAP Awards

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Tech Safety Lines Wins Award for GWO Training Team of the Year – Americas

Tech Safety Lines announced today that its GWO Training Program was named the Training Team of the Year – Americas (North & South America) at Global Wind Organisation’s annual Safety & Training Awards ceremony in Copenhagen. This annual conference recognizes training providers worldwide for their skills and impact on keeping the wind energy workforce safe on-site.

Tech Safety Lines is a patented safety equipment manufacturer providing best-in-industry training programs for specialized teams working within wind, construction, utility, telecommunications, and more. TSL is located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in North Texas, a renowned green energy hub with one of the highest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the United States.

Watch TSL receive the GWO Training Team of the Year here.

“I am just so honored to be receiving this award on behalf of all of my employees and all of the wonderful trainers down in Dallas, Texas who are so dedicated to both safety and training, and to all of the hardworking individuals in this industry, thank you so much.”

The Training Team of the Year is a prestigious award designed to acknowledge all of the members of a training team. This award recognizes the excellence, expertise, and collaboration demonstrated by TSL’s instructors, employees, and colleagues across the company.

The judges were hugely impressed with all of the entries’ high quality, however, one company stood out, with the judges saying, “it’s clear they’re the leader, delivering high-quality training in an innovative and inclusive way that’s geared to the technician’s needs.” 

TSL offers four, premier GWO training programs. These programs are designed by Global Wind Organisation to mitigate risk and ensure more efficient rescue operations. Their training modules are taught in both theoretical and practical settings for trainees to learn proper safety and emergency procedures, at height.

From Tech Safety Lines’ website: Tech Safety Lines is a global, rescue solutions provider. They educate their clients through in-depth, hands-on training. TSL offers life-saving courses provided by best-in-class teachers with real-world Technical Rescue and Urban Search & Rescue experience. Countless men & women rely on their patented equipment and training to bring them home safely.

The Global Wind Organisation is a member-founded and owned non-profit institution, started by wind turbine manufacturers and owners/operators. GWO is dedicated to providing practical standards for injury-free work environments within the wind turbine industry. 

GWO recognized the need for standardized safety requirements in the wind turbine industry and created their first set of basic safety standards in 2012. Since then, they’ve expanded upon these rudimentary principles and created a number of training and safety protocols to keep workers and businesses in the wind industry informed and safe.

Tech Safety Lines Wins Award for Best GWO Training Program in the Americas

Diane Waghorne was watching the news along with the rest of the world on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Amid the tragedy unfolding before her eyes she kept thinking, how was it possible all these people trapped in the burning buildings didn’t have a way to get down safely? The thought didn’t go away in the following days, weeks or months. Waghorne’s mind was made up. She wanted to do something. She wanted to save lives.

Her research led her to a product that helps people descend in dangerous situations. Eventually, Waghorne bought the patent and brought the manufacturing to North Texas. The business she started from her kitchen table earned $5.5 million in revenue last year with customers in 22 countries. “It makes no sense a stay-at-home mom with fingernails is doing what I’m doing,” said Waghorne, president of Carrollton-based Tech Safety Lines, Inc.

Tech Safety Lines makes what are called rescue kits for people who work at great heights, like wind turbine engineers. Other customers include companies working on construction sites, bucket trucks and crane operators.How does her product work? Say an engineer is working on wind turbine hundreds of feet in the air when their worst nightmare comes true — the turbine catches on fire. With Tech Safety Lines’ products, the engineer attaches to the turbine and descends safely to the ground. The rescue kits are necessary because often times, wind turbines are in remote areas. By the time the fire department reaches the turbine, it might be too late or the rescuers might not have the proper equipment to reach those stranded.

Unfortunately, it sometimes isn’t until something horrible happens when potential customers will reach out to the company. “I hate it that it’s a death when our phone starts ringing. That just breaks my heart,” Waghorne said. “We do all these trade shows, they see us, they know us. But yet it’s that little rescue component, ‘Oh I’ll go do some more research,’ and it gets set on the back burner.”

About 70 percent of the company’s sales are in the U.S., Waghorne said. Along with the actual cost of the rescue kit, which runs about $1,000 per kit, Tech Safety Lines generates revenue by training all those who carry the kit. Tech Safety Lines conducts training on-site in Carrollton, or it sends instructors to wherever the customer is based. The company has 14 employees.

To discuss her business more, Waghorne sat down with the Dallas Business Journal.

What’s the biggest challenge of growing your business?
Everybody wants to buy from their own country. I want to buy U.S., France wants to buy France. So, that’s kind of a challenge. And then whoever your present administration may be may help you, may not help you. There might be some challenges. You worry about, ‘Well, what’s going to happen with tariffs?’ Things that are out of your control.

How do you market yourself?
We do a lot of trade shows, and a lot is word of mouth.

How competitive is your industry?
I do have competitors. I only lost one time that I went after someone really big.

What did you do before Tech Safety Lines?
When I first got married, I was in sales. I was in the business world. Then I had my children. I had a nanny and I came home one day and my son called the nanny ‘mommy’ so I said ‘I’m done’ and decided to be a stay-at-home mom. But when 9/11 happened, my son was in college, my daughter had just gotten her driver’s license. She had just turned 16. And I was wondering what my next chapter in life would look like. And I prayed, and my joke is God has a great sense of humor. He took a stay-at-home mom and put her in the rescue business.

Evan Hoopfer, Staff Writer
Dallas Business Journal

Dallas Business Journal Award

Link: https://cleanpower.org/offshore-windpower/

Meet with Tech Safety Lines at ACP Offshore WINDPOWER 2023 to learn about self and assisted rescue training and globally certified fall protection and rescue equipment.

Come and see our latest innovations in rescue equipment for workers at height. We will also be sharing video demonstrations showcasing how to use the lightweight and simple SRK-15 (micro self-rescue kit) for evacuation, for self-rescue after a fall, and for assisted rescue.

If you would like to set up a meeting in advance, please contact us at info@techsafetylines.com.

ACP Offshore WINDPOWER 2023

Event Name: ACP Operations, Maintenance, and Safety Conference 2024

Meet with Tech Safety Lines at the American Clean Power O&M and Safety Conference 2024 to learn about self and assisted rescue training and globally certified fall protection and rescue equipment.

ACP Operations, Maintenance, and Safety Conference 2024

Tech Safety Lines is celebrating their 20 years of providing rescue equipment and training for workers at height.

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Rescue Training and Equipment for Workers at Height

We know the rope we use in our rescue kits is special, but it’s hard not to be awestruck after seeing pictures like these!

Unfortunately, a client had a fire and while mostly everything was scorched, the rope from our self-rescue kit is nearly as good as new.

This level of technology truly sets TSL’s equipment apart. Keep your people safe in the event of a fire with a rescue kit capable of withstanding high temperatures.

What TSL’s Self-Rescue Kit Looks Like After A Fire

"GMA" takes a deeper look into what wind turbines could mean for the U.S. economy. 

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How wind energy can help save the planet l GMA

From the article published by Voyage Dallas, "Meet Diane Waghorne of Tech Safety Lines in the Dallas Metroplex"

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Waghorne.

Diane, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
9/11 changed my life. As I watched the twin towers crumble and realized that the people who had been trapped in the buildings truly had no way to be rescued, I started thinking that there should be a solution that could save lives at heights. I vowed that day to bring something positive out of that tragedy.

I thought about how many thousands of people go to work and risk their lives every day on elevated platforms, often hundreds of feet in the air on wind turbines, cell towers, aerial lifts and construction sites. All of them should have a rescue system and proper training to quickly, safely descend to the ground in an emergency.

I knew that someone had to create something to give people a safe way to get down to the ground in situations like this. And then, I decided that someone might as well be me.

So, in 2002, I went from being a stay-at-home mom to an entrepreneur and CEO of a company that specializes in providing rescue systems and training for people who work at height. That was 17 years and three patents ago, and now Tech Safety Lines’ products are in 22 countries, including the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa. I sleep better at night knowing that thousands of workers are now safer because they wear our equipment every day.

Tech Safety Lines also provides customized training programs focused on ensuring the safety of individuals who work at height. In 2017 alone, we trained more than 900 workers to save the lives of themselves and their co-workers in the event of a fall. Many of them traveled from across the world to our new, state-of-the-art training facility, which was finished in 2017.

I’m proud that we’ve more than doubled TSL’s revenue in the past three years, but I never focus on “revenue first.” I feel that a successful business should be built first and foremost on passion. I have a passion for safety and creating a safer work environment for people who put their lives on the line. My top priorities are eliminating the risk of injury or death and educating employers about the importance of workplace safety.

I like to think that in the end, our global growth and success comes down to just one thing: Our commitment to client service. I take a personal, hands-on approach to client care, so our clients all know that I’m a firm believer in the value of third-party global testing and certifications, and they know that we only use the highest-quality components. I once rented a 600 ft. bridge in Austria to prove it, conducting testing for the European markets. That was a challenging, but memorable experience!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
To be honest, being a woman was my greatest professional challenge. But, I’d also say that it has been my greatest strength.

TSL is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) & Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). When I first launched this business 17 years ago, I was often the only female in the room, and I had great ideas but a lot to learn on the technical side. To establish credibility, I had to become an expert on industry safety and rescue standards. So, I did.

One of the best decisions I made early on was to bring in my business partner, Brent Wise, who is a 30-year veteran of the Dallas Fire Department. Through the years, he has provided incredible insight that has formed the design of our patented products, and he also leads our training operation.

Even with Brent’s expertise on my side, I faced some barriers as a woman in a male-dominated industry. I hustled to build up my presence, traveling to shows and meetings and work sites, soaking up as much knowledge as I could while expanding my network. I earned people’s trust, and was one of the first women named to a subcommittee for the industry’s ANSI standards for Rescue Systems. And, I was the first woman invited to join the American Wind Energy Association’s safety steering committee.

I’ve always worked hard to solidify my personal credibility, but I know that my business has to maintain a sterling reputation, too. I want every facet of our business to be beyond reproach. We have the products that we manufacture third-party certified ensuring that they meet applicable safety standards globally. The quality programs we’ve created have enabled TSL to become one of the first companies in North Texas to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification. And, we hire awesome, incredibly skilled trainers who are all firefighters with the City of Dallas and members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team, as well as Texas Task Force 1 & 2.

All that diligence and effort has paid off, as TSL has become a preferred safety vendor globally for many companies.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Tech Safety Lines, Inc. (TSL) offers rescue training, rescue design systems, fall protection equipment and consulting. Our company is dedicated to helping clients create a culture of safety and to protect their workers at height.

We also provide custom-tailored rescue training in realistic, simulated situations at our in-house training lab, as well as all over the United States, Canada, Europe, Jamaica, Thailand, Africa and beyond. Thousands of TSL’s patented micro-rescue kits are in use and saving lives on towers, wind turbines, oil derricks, grain elevators, billboards, roofs, arenas and stadiums worldwide.

I measure my personal and professional success by workers trained and lives saved. All of us are truly devoted to our clients and want to ensure that they get home safely every day. You cannot imagine the buzz and excitement in our offices when we receive that magic phone call or email sharing with us that one of our kits has been successfully deployed and someone made it safely to the ground and can rejoin his or her own family. Clients trust us with their employees’ lives, and I try to earn that trust by continuously improving TSL’s customer service, training and safety equipment.

My greatest joy comes from grateful emails and letters we receive from TSL’s students, thanking us for giving them the confidence and skills they need to take action in life-threatening situations. It’s also immensely satisfying that this business contributes to a good quality of life for TSL employees, who share my passion for making working at height safer.

We are so devoted to our clients, and we are truly humbled and honored that we can make a difference in people’s lives.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
All companies with employees who work at height should have a managed fall protection plan, but the most overlooked part of such plans is the rescue component. More companies are taking on this challenge and are learning about different options, and the latest buzzword is “micro-rescue equipment.”

Too often, if a company even offers rescue equipment to their employees, the rescue bag is so cumbersome that employees tend to leave it in the truck or at the base of the workplace – not high in the air where they are working for the day. With 300 feet of rope, older self-rescue kits weigh roughly 40 pounds, with thick ropes that burn relatively quickly. When there’s a fall incident involving a fire, you don’t want your life to depend on a rope that can melt in under a minute.

But now, the technology exists to produce much smaller, lighter ropes that are incredibly strong and extremely heat- and chemical-resistant. We’ve introduced brand new micro-rescue kits that weigh just seven pounds, with 300 feet of 6mm rope, and are certified to sell kits with up to 600 feet. We think that this lighter alternative encourages more people to carry the kit with them when working at height, which will undoubtedly save more lives. We’re also now manufacturing fall arrest lanyards that meet the newest standard for ARC flash ratings, which opens up the utility industry to use our equipment.

These employees never know when the most extreme conditions are going to be upon them, and they need a plan and equipment that could save their lives. Just yesterday, I read a news report about a fire on a service truck in which a line worker died. And, I never forget the horrifying photos taken several years ago in the Netherlands, when two young men, ages 18 and 21, were working on a wind tower that caught fire. One jumped, and the other perished in the fire. If their company had had these new kits available to them, those young men would still be with us.

It was that tragedy that inspired me to spend a full year getting our kit certified globally, so we could share it with other parts of the world. We’ve set up sales agents for our products in Turkey, Pakistan, Europe, Latin America and Africa. We also plan to bring our rescue equipment to the offshore wind industry in the very near future.

Click the button below to view the original article.

Voyage Dallas Interviews Diane Waghorne, TSL Co-Founder & CEO

Tech Safety Lines is helping commercial helicopters improve their rescue procedures and satisfy a new requirement for emergency escape. TSL’s experts designed a custom escape solution to meet 14 CFR 29.809 (f) (h) and (i).

Additionally, this product had to pass a FAA test in which 20 participants had 90 seconds to bail out of a helicopter laying on its side, in a dark environment. Our product passed the test and was approved for use.

While older helicopter models have been “grandfathered’ into this new requirement, this regulation does impact new commercial designs moving forward. We are excited to help meet the needs of this industry and to make commercial helicopter travel safer for all.

If you’d like to learn more about this product or TSL’s consulting services, please contact us.  You can also email info@techsafetylines.com.

Going To New Heights… In Helicopters

Tech Safety Lines' self-rescue kit, the SRK-11, is used to safely descend in minutes from an emergency situation on top of a tower crane.

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TSL Tower Crane Rescue

It was an honor to be featured in the March issue of Line Contractor magazine. Diane Waghorne, President of Tech Safety Lines, was interviewed and shares how she started the company and became passionate about workplace safety. We appreciate the editorial team highlighting our mission to create a safer work environment for this community.

Below is a snippet of the article where writer Susan DeGrane and Diane discuss the importance of fall prevention awareness, equipment, and training for workers at height.

Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Despite OSHA’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about fall prevention, many employers still fail to plan appropriately for individual jobs and provide necessary protective equipment and training, as OSHA suggests.

“Unfortunately, many people in charge of safety for their companies say rescue is the forgotten component,” said Diane Waghorne, president and co-founder of Tech Safety Lines Inc., a rescue training and personal protective equipment provider based in Carrollton, Texas. “Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make people aware of how essential this really is.”

Training for line contracting firms often involves self-rescue, Waghorne said. “An employer is obligated to provide prompt rescue in the event of a fall. For people who work alone, our self-rescue equipment and training qualifies as that.” 

The self-rescue kit Diane references in the article is the SRK-11. This micro self-rescue kit is lightweight, compact, easy to use, and 3rd party certified to the ANSI standards. The SRK-11 is certified up to 600 ft and is commonly used by workers in bucket trucks, tower cranes, wind turbines, and more.

If you are interested in learning more about how Tech Safety Lines is working hard to keep workers at height safe in multiple industries worldwide, please reach out to us at info@techsafetylines.com. You can view Tech Safety Lines’ training courses for the outside electrical construction industry here.

Watch the TSL Aerial Platform (MEWP) Rescue Solutions video below.

“Don’t Fall! Tech Safety Lines provides fall-prevention equipment and training”

Fall Arrest Lanyard Demonstration | TSL Videos

Learn what makes the StepWise Fall Arrest Lanyard different from all other fall arrest lanyards.

StepWise Fall Arrest Lanyard Product Demonstration.mp4

StepWise Fall Arrest Lanyard Product Demonstration

Safety is paramount at any job site and, particularly, at a wind site where workers are typically dozens of feet above the ground.  Reggie Ham, Technical Operations Manager with Tech Safety Lines (TSL), recently shared his insight on fall-protection and safety with Windpower Engineering & Development.

Ham was a wind technician for eight years prior to joining TSL in 2016. The company offers workers at height proprietary training and patented safety equipment that ensures a safe working environment.

“A wind technician can wear his or her harness, use a ladder system, and tie off to designated anchors just fine, but what good is that if something comes up at the O&M building, which requires proper use of a portable ladder?” shares Ham. “Short falls from lesser heights are a more common occurrence than falls from the greater heights of a wind-turbine tower.”

He adds: “It is not a matter of what should be known, but what is required to be known.”

With the aim of sharing a few of those “required” safety tips and industry knowledge, here’s the Q&A with Ham…

Q. What are the key regulations for fall protection at wind sites?

A. There are two relevant OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — which aims to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women in the U.S.) standards under CFR 29 that are relevant to the wind industry.

The first is General Industry’s 1910 Subpart D: Walking-Working Surfaces. The second is Construction’s 1926 Subpart M: Fall Protection. The American Society of Safety Professionals’ standards for fall protection and fall-restraint are under ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection Code.

Q. What type of training do you recommend wind techs go through prior to working at height?

A. Much of the training a new technician goes through is based off requirements, especially for safety equipment. I would recommend all types of training and particularly hands-on training. There are programs and courses that can teach vital information in electrical troubleshooting, hydraulics, and pneumatics. Such courses can break down the physics and concepts of how wind turbines work, which is all extremely beneficial to wind techs.

The only concern is that this fails to always translate into habits that carry over into the real workplace, regarding safety and mechanical aptitude — which is why hands-on training is critical.

Q. Can you please share tips for or recommendations on choosing a safety harness and how it should be fitted?

A. The purpose of a full-body harness is to distribute fall-arrest forces over a broad area, from the thighs up to the shoulders. ANSI Class 3 harnesses are designed and tested to meet impact force requirements and are required for work in the wind industry.

However, there are several styles of full-body harnesses to choose from. To help narrow down the options, the first priority to address is the scope of work being performed. For example, is the worker performing suspended work? If so, he or she might consider harnesses made for prolonged periods of suspension. There are harnesses made of materials to meet requirements for hot work, or arc flash.

If the harness solely intended for safety while a tech climbs from the bottom of a wind tower to the top, then a more basic style may be selected. Multiple d-rings are always a plus. Most turbines have a ladder safety system that requires a chest ring connection. Side d-rings allow for use of work positioners. Some harnesses also offer equipment loops for connection of tethered tools or tool bags.

After addressing the type of work to be done, the user can then consider more personalized features. It helps to research user reviews. There are several resources online to ask fellow peers about their experiences with harnesses. Some people have purchased harnesses based on aesthetics, only to later discover it creates hot spots, or areas or discomfort. Incorrect fitting can also lead to these hot spots.

It is important to choose a harness that can be tightened or secured to fit but still allows movement. An uncomfortable or oversized harness can lead to an improper, insecure fit, which may cause serious problems in the event of a fall.

For the best fitting, always refer to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Q. Aside from the risk of falls, what other safety hazards should workers be aware of when climbing a turbine tower or working on a nacelle?

A. There are falling object hazards, electrical hazards, fire hazards, hydraulics, pneumatics, pinch points, rotating equipment, and many more sources or energy that most of the time can be mitigated with a Lockout Tagout program (which ensures that potentially hazardous machines are properly shutoff and unable to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work). Other hazards are extreme temperatures, vertigo resulting from the swaying of a tower, and other potential underlying medical issues.

From experience, I would say complacency is one of the greatest hazards. Many workers get in a groove of performing the same type of work, day after day. They could also be pressed for time because of short deadlines or turbine availability. In such cases, attention to detail may slip, and the respect for the surrounding hazards will begin to dwindle. This is when many accidents occur.

The thing about being that high off the ground is if an injury or sudden illness occurs, you now have to get a potentially incapacitated person down. This is why an extensive rescue plan is just as critical as a fall-protection program. Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps protect workers, but then what? A fall-arrest lanyard and harness may have just kept a worker from falling, but what if there is no equipment or trained individuals to rescue the suspended casualty?

Fortunately, there has been an increased awareness across the industry regarding the importance of a thorough rescue plan.

Q. As a general rule, how often should safety equipment be replaced? For example, is there an expiration date on fall-protection harnesses, tethers, or other safety gear?

A. Most soft goods — such as ropes, webbing, other textiles — used in PPE and rescue equipment do have a service life. Referring to the manufacturer is the best course of action for ensuring such equipment remains reliable and is up-to-date. There are inspection criteria that do require equipment to be removed from service, including various modes of damage, exposure, etc.

Q. Do you have any tips for storing and maintaining fall-protection gear to ensure maximum use?

A. Ensuring PPE remains clean can remove dirt, sweat, chemicals, or oil that may have accumulated over time. So it’s worth performing the occasional, gentle hand-washing with a mild detergent on PPE. Just be sure to the gear let air-dry before stowing. Equipment should also be stored out of direct sunlight and away from moisture.

However, as with all safety equipment, it is best to refer to the manufacturer for its recommendations.

Q. Are there any common myths about fall protection or working at height?

A. Rather than myths, I would say there are common mistakes. Many times, people will overestimate their physical abilities. Techs may think they are fast or strong enough to prevent themselves or an object from falling. Workers may also assume that they will be able to use their strength to lift themselves or someone else after a fall.

Going through a climbing and rescue training can humble them pretty quickly.

For information about TSL’s training programs, click here.

Safer wind work: A Q&A with Tech Safety Lines’ Reggie Ham

Tech Safety Lines is proud to announce our certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US.

Tech Safety Lines is Officially WBE & WOSB Certified!

Link: https://www.windenergyhamburg.com/

Meet with Tech Safety Lines at the WindEnergy Hamburg 2024 to learn about self and assisted rescue training and globally certified fall protection and rescue equipment.

Meet TSL at WindEnergy Hamburg 2024

It was an honor to contribute to Ginger Zee’s story about the wind industry’s bright future on Good Morning America. Tech Safety Lines provided the Competent Climber and Rescue training for Ginger and her camera crew as well as the rescue equipment carried by each individual.

Tech Safety Lines’ equipment featured in this video include the SRK-11, SPARK, andStepWise Lanyard.

Please see the below video to learn about why wind power is not only beneficial for the planet but also the economy.

Good Morning America Features Tech Safety Lines

Working at heights exposes workers to many hazards. To ensure everyone’s safety, it is paramount that each worker has the appropriate PPE and safety training.

Here is a simple TSL Tip to ensure you have the right fall arrest lanyard for your job.

Per ANSI/ASSEZ359.13-2013, the ANSI standard for Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards, each lanyard should have a label stating whether it is a 6 ft. or a 12 ft. Free Fall lanyard. ANSI requires the labels to be color coded. A 6 ft. FF lanyard is required to have a white label with black lettering and the 12 ft. FF lanyard is required to have a black label with white lettering. If your fall arrest lanyard label appears to be in conflict with the ANSI standard, we recommend that you follow your company’s protocol for addressing safety concerns or speak to your supervisor.

12 ft. Free Fall Energy Absorbing Label 

TSL Tip: A Simple Check To Ensure You Have The Right Fall Arrest Lanyard

Event Name: ACP CLEANPOWER 2024 Conference & Exhibition

Link: https://cleanpower.org/events/cleanpower-2024-conference-exhibition/

Meet with Tech Safety Lines at CLEANPOWER 2024 to learn about self and assisted rescue training and globally certified fall protection and rescue equipment.

ACP CLEANPOWER 2024 Conference & Exhibition

To learn more about the SRK-15 and other self-rescue equipment, visit our Equipment page.

SRK 15.mp4

SRK-15

Learn why Tech Safety Lines' rescue training and equipment are the best in the wind industry. 

Wind Technician Rescue Training and Equipment.mp4

Wind Technician Rescue Training & Equipment

At Tech Safety Lines, we help our clients meet the latest safety and training standards for their industry. We monitor changes to the standards, manage our student’s training certifications, and notify them when it is time for renewal. Employers can always contact TSL to enquire about an employee’s training status.

Here in the U.S, we are seeing many wind industry leaders adopt the Global Wind Organization (GWO) training standards. The goal of GWO is to streamline the training quality and validity of those working in wind power worldwide.

Tech Safety Lines offers the majority of the GWO curriculum at our new state-of-the-art 20,000 sq. ft. training facility in Dallas, TX. Students can be certified for Basic Safety Training, Advanced Rescue Training, Enhanced First Aid, Basic Technical Training, as well as refresher courses.

Individuals maintain their GWO certifications via WINDA, the global database designed for verifying a person’s training status. It allows the certification to be portable and recognized both locally and internationally.

It is important to note that GWO requires wind technicians complete their recertification for the varying modules prior to the expiration dates listed on their WINDA ID. Below we have listed the duration of a training certification for each GWO training module offered at TSL.

Tech Safety Lines Learning Center

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