Wind Turbine Inspections: The Backbone of Wind Energy Infrastructure
Wind turbine inspections are a critical component of maintaining wind energy infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safeguarding personnel safety.
The Role of Statutory Inspections
Statutory inspections are legally mandated evaluations that confirm wind turbines and their structures meet safety and operational standards.
- Wire rope inspections – Evaluating the integrity of wire ropes used in lifting operations.
- First aid consumables checks – Verifying that emergency first aid equipment is present and fit for use.
- Fall arrest systems inspections – Assessing personal protective equipment (PPE), personal fall protective equipment (PFPE) and lifesaving appliances (LSA) for safety and compliance.
- Crane and lifting equipment inspections – Evaluating compact and davit cranes along with lifting accessories to ensure they meet operational safety requirements.
- Service lift inspections – Conducting comprehensive checks on wind turbine service lifts for proper operation and maintenance.
These inspections ensure compliance with various international and national regulations, including LOLER, PUWER and other industry-specific guidelines.
The Importance of Wind Turbine Inspections
The inspections are crucial for any company operating wind turbines, for several reasons:
- Persuader safety – Working at height in harsh conditions poses significant risks. Inspections help prevent accidents by identifying faults in lifting equipment, PPE and structural components prior to them becoming a danger.
- Regulatory compliance – Adhering to inspection requirements prevents legal penalties, operational shutdowns and reputational damage.
- Minimising downtime and costs – Detecting wear and tear early prevents unexpected failures, reducing repair costs and production losses.
- Extending equipment lifespan – Routine checks ensure all components function correctly, preventing excessive strain and costly replacements.
Stowen Group: Expert Wind Turbine Inspections
At Stowen Group, our inspection procedures are meticulously designed to uphold the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Our teams consist of highly trained professionals with extensive experience in offshore wind turbine assessments.
| Pre-inspection planning – Conducting thorough risk assessments and reviewing historical inspection data to identify potential areas of concern. | On-site inspections – Utilising qualified technicians who are fully trained and competent in all areas of statutory inspections. | Detailed reporting and recommendations – Providing comprehensive reports with findings, regulatory compliance status and suggested corrective actions. | Follow-up maintenance support – Assisting clients in implementing necessary repairs and scheduling future inspections to maintain ongoing compliance. |
A Professionally Trained Team
Stowen developed Hexis Training, a specialised training program tailored for wind energy professionals.
This initiative focuses on statutory inspection requirements, equipping our personnel with in-depth knowledge of industry regulations.
- Core module – An introduction to the offshore wind industry; relevant legislation; risks and hazards; reporting; roles and responsibilities; wire rope and chain inspections; first aid consumables; and the correct use of equipment such as vernier gauges and torque wrenches at height.
- Working at height (WAH) systems and equipment – The WAH module covers typical wind farm fall arrest systems such as wire-guided and rail-guided ladder systems, personal fall protective equipment (PFPE) and emergency escape equipment.
- Compact and davit cranes – This module covers typical wind farm cranes and accessories often found on transition pieces and within the nacelle. Delegates are taught both inspection and maintenance together with correct reporting, before being assessed both theoretically and practically in a controlled environment.
- Service lifts – This module includes typical wind farm service lifts and discusses the different types such as wire-guided and ladder-guided, along with inspection, maintenance and correct reporting.
