Page 37 - North American Clean Energy July/August 2020 Issue

In advance of reopening, it is essential that instructors understand the roles they play in leading and demonstrating safe practices by being rigorous when it comes to basics of PPE, sanitizing, and distancing. This also is an opportunity to reinforce the messages of the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for social distancing, washing hands, and monitoring health.
Trainees often have an assigned time for arrival to allow for necessary steps like registration, which is scheduled at 15-minute intervals. This can include logging in with personal information
to obtain a quick response (QR) code,
a forehead temperature check, and
even a badge that shows the actual reading. Trainees then pick up their
PPE (gloves, safety glasses, masks), which is worn from the moment they enter the reception area, throughout
the hallways, and in all classrooms and common places. Therefore, a sufficient inventory of PPE is necessary to maintain operations of the center.
Distancing (at six feet or more) is practiced in classrooms and public areas, such as lunchrooms. Furthermore, trainees are asked to sit in the same location for each classroom training module.
To support distancing, class sizes are smaller than before. This comes with the added benefit of more time for instructors to direct safety training for participants. For example, one center now maintains
a ratio of one instructor for three participants, versus the standard six.
During training, one interesting change is the use of mannequins for modules on first aid and working at heights. Trainees use a range of equipment for the safety modules. In working at heights, for example, trainees must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to correctly inspect, service, store,
and use relevant PPE; these include harnesses, lanyards, fall arresters, and work positioning equipment.
All this equipment requires special attention for sanitizing. Trainees assist in cleaning ladders before and after classes, while other equipment is sanitized, labelled with names of users, dated, and set aside for 72 hours before it can be used again.
Regarding the overall environment from a heating ventilation and air conditioning perspective, it is important to frequently
change filers on HVAC systems. Another key is doing whatever possible for air interchange in the facility, to avoid a stagnant environment. Therefore, the maintenance team must be engaged in delivering a healthy environment with proactiveandpredictivetechniques.
In a business where safety is vital, and the protection of wind turbine technicians is essential, training to safeguard them every day requires a new way of preparing for - and conducting - the training they need on the job.
Jakob Lau Holst is CEO of Global Wind Organisation, a non-profit body founded by leading wind turbine manufacturers and operators.
GWO /// www.globalwindsafety.org
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