Wind energy is an essential component of the world’s energy mix, and wind turbines play a crucial role in producing clean and sustainable energy. Wind Turbine Technicians face significant risks when working on turbines – including working at height and confined spaces risks, which could potentially require emergency rescue.
MRS Training & Rescue are a Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certified training provider. This means our training facilities have been assessed and are in accordance with the standards required by the GWO. In addition – our training courses and trainers have been evaluated, to ensure they follow national legislation and regulations.
What is the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)?
The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) is a non-profit organization that provides standardised wind turbine training programmes to ensure the safety and competence of wind energy technicians.
GWO certified training courses and facilities, such as those MRS Training & Rescue provide, are required to meet specific standards to ensure the quality of training provided. Listed below are some examples of what these include.
Equipment
A GWO certified provider must have wind turbines or simulators that mimic the conditions and equipment found on a real wind farm. These training wind turbines and simulators must be equipped with the latest safety and rescue equipment – including arrest and emergency stop systems.
MRS Training & Rescue have GWO approved training centres – located in:
Each of the above training centres has purpose-built wind turbines that include internal areas to replicate as closely as possible the nacelle of a wind turbines.
This nacelle areas can be used for the practical training which is part of our GWO First Aid and GWO Advanced First Aid courses. Both courses require that delegates know what actions to perform in an emergency situation whilst in a wind turbine.
The mock wind turbine facilities also include hatches for practical training in self-rescue and self-escape.
In addition to mock wind turbines, each training centre also has freestanding towers that allow for training in suspension, a suspended rescue and casualty stretcher rescue. Along with various ladders to perform ascending/descending drills with use of twin hooks (for ladder rescue) - and dedicated confined space vessels and a network of crawl spaces with a variety of entry points, for bespoke confined space training.
Our training centre in Cowdenbeath also has a decommissioned wind turbine to simulate a real-life wind turbine environment. From this structure, delegates can undertake blade, hub, and nacelle rescue as well as rescue from the roof of the turbine.
Environment
Training facilities must be located in safe and secure areas – away from any potential hazards that could put trainees at risk. The training site must have adequate facilities for training – such as classrooms, and outdoor areas for practical training.
All MRS Training & Rescue centres are safe environments. As well as GWO courses, we provide a wide range of safety and rescue training. We continually invest in our centres to ensure they provide the best environment for both practical and classroom training.
Trainers
The training facility must employ qualified and experienced trainers who are familiar with the latest wind energy industry practices and regulations. Trainers must hold relevant safety certifications and have a good understanding of the equipment used in the wind industry.
MRS Training & Rescue’s training experience is not just related to our facilities or equipment – our trainers are experts in their field, with years of experience in wind turbine safety. Their practical approach to training and their commitment to ensuring delegates have the skills necessary to work safely, sets them apart from other training providers. They understand that everyone learns at a different pace, and they work with each trainee to ensure they receive the individual attention they need to succeed.
Training Programmes
The training facility must offer the latest GWO-approved training courses, and these must be delivered in accordance with the GWO standards, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on training.
MRS Training & Rescue offers a range of courses accredited by GWO:
- GWO Wind Turbines Onshore Basic Training (BST)
- GWO Wind Turbines Onshore Basic Safety Training (BST) Refresher
- GWO Wind Turbines Advanced Rescue course
- GWO Wind Turbines Enhanced First Aid course
- GWO Wind Turbines Enhanced First Aid Refresher course
- GWO Wind Turbines Fire Awareness course
- GWO Wind Turbines First Aid course
- GWO Wind Turbines First Aid Refresher course
- GWO Wind Turbines Manual Handling course
Wind Turbine Rescue training
Wind turbine safety is not just about preventing accidents – it is also about knowing how to respond in the event of an emergency. That's why MRS Training & Rescue offer comprehensive rescue training, designed to equip delegates with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to emergencies safely and effectively whilst working on a wind turbine. Courses include the GWO Working at Height and Rescue training and the GWO Advanced Rescue training.
Rescue training covers a range of scenarios, including evacuations, medical emergencies, and rescues from height. Candidates will learn how to use a range of equipment, including ropes, harnesses, and other rescue gear, to respond to emergencies in a safe and effective manner. They will also learn how to communicate effectively with other members of the rescue team and the injured party, ensuring a successful outcome.
Record Keeping
The training facility must maintain accurate records of all training activities, including the details of each trainee, the training programs they have completed, and their performance during training. These records must be kept up-to-date and easily accessible to relevant parties, including the delegates, the training facility, and GWO.
Health & Safety
The training facility must have adequate health and safety measures in place to protect the candidates, trainers, and equipment. These measures may include first-aid facilities, fire-fighting equipment, and emergency procedures for dealing with accidents or incidents.
Certification
The training facility must be certified by GWO, demonstrating that it meets all the requirements set out by the organisation. The certification must be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the training facility continues to meet the required standards.
MRS Training & Rescue is a leading provider of wind turbine safety training, accredited by the GWO, offering a wide range of training programmes for technicians and workers involved in wind energy operations. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits of training with MRS Training & Rescue.
Wind Turbine Rescue Services
At MRS Training & Rescue, we have highly skilled specialist rescue teams providing cover for high-risk operations such as confined spaces and working at height, both on and offshore. So if you are carrying our repair or maintenance work on a wind turbine and do not have trained and competent rescue teams yourselves, you can call on the support of MRS.
In addition to providing a wide range of certified GWO training courses, MRS Training & Rescue can provide highly skilled specialist rescue teams – who can provide cover for high-risk operations – both onshore and offshore.
To learn more about this – read our Wind Turbine Rescue Services case study.
Ross Graham has a background in emergency response, offshore operations, and health & safety training. He plays a key role in developing industry-leading training programmes and helms operational teams in high-risk environments.
