May 9, 2012
Texas

TSTC talks turbine safety

By: Kristin Anderson, bigcountryhomepage.com 8 May 2012

“It’s an environment if you’re not careful and you’re not aware of your surroundings, you can definitely get hurt,” said Keith Plantier, director of energy systems.

Wind turbine technicians put themselves in situations that can be dangerous. That’s why TSTC teaches their students real-life lessons about day-to-day safety.

“Get the students familiar with the hazards around them. As well as build in a sense of awareness around them,” said Plantier

Though storms seem like the biggest threat, the height and the electricity is what can be most dangerous, and that’s what makes technicians a rare breed.

“They face all kinds of dangers. This is what makes the field itself so lucrative in nature,” he said.

And after yesterday’s lightning strike, workers are reminded to stay clear of turbines in storm, even though situations like yesterday are pretty rare.

“Typically storms don’t just pop up on you unannounced,” said Plantier.

But wind turbines continue to be a part of a booming industry in West Texas – that’s why TSTC is constantly working on instilling safety so that it is second nature for their working graduates.

“It’s a hazardous environment all around but as long as you’re working within the guidelines of the safety protocols that are put in place, it’s not as bad as one might think. But that’s something that they should be more focused on,” said Plantier.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/09/tstc-talks-turbine-safety/