Purpose

Vertical Horizonz New Zealand are a GWO Certified Training Provider.

The GWO training modules are designed to train, certify and qualify workers to work safely in a wind turbine environment. Each module trains the knowledge and skills needed for the work in the workplace, as specified by GWO Basic Safety Training Standards, relevant legislation, the New Zealand and Australian Standards, the Approved Codes of Practice, and workplace policy and processes, in a practical way.

VHNZ’s training is also aligned to New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) unit standards as a means to measure each worker’s performance and assure competency.

Course Objectives

Successful trainees will be able to demonstrate:

First Aid:

• Understanding of the importance of carrying out first aid in a safe manner in accordance with the legislative requirements of their geographic location.
• Identify and explain normal function, normal signs and symptoms of serious and minor injuries and illness related to the human body.
• Understanding and correct order of management in an emergency in a wind turbine environment.
• Correct use of lifesaving First Aid using the Primary Survey A–B–C.
• Correct use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
• Correct use of Ordinary First Aid, the Secondary survey. 
• Correct use of First Aid equipment in a First Aid scenario.

Manual Handling:

• Understanding of the importance of carrying out work duties in a safe and sound manner in accordance with the legislative requirements of their geographic location.
• Identify aspects of their job tasks that could increase a worker’s risk of developing muscular/skeletal injuries.
• Understanding of safe practices of Manual Handling, including the correct handling of equipment.   
• Identify signs and symptoms of injuries related to poor Manual Handling techniques and have knowledge of reporting methods.
• A problem solving approach to Manual Handling in a wind turbine environment.   
• Manual Handling risk reduction techniques.

Fire Awareness:

• Knowledge of the development and spread of fire.
• Knowledge of the causes of fires in wind turbines and the dangers related to this.
• Identify any sign of a fire in a wind turbine environment.
• Knowledge of the contingency plans in a wind turbine environment including smoke detection and emergency escape procedures.
• Correct actions on discovering a fire including correct operation and fire extinguishing by means of the firefighting equipment in a wind turbine generator.

Working at Heights:

• Knowledge of hazards and risks associated with working at heights, specific to a wind turbine generator.
• Understanding of current national legislation regarding working at heights.
• Correct identification of PPE, including identification of European/Global standard markings e.g. harness, hard hat, lanyards, etc.
• The knowledge and skills to correctly inspect, service, store and don the relevant PPE, e.g. harness, lanyards, fall arresters and work positioning equipment. 
• Correct use of the relevant PPE, e.g. harnesses lanyards, fall arresters and work positioning equipment. This includes correct identification of anchor points and correct ladder conduct.
• Correct use of evacuation devices.
• How to approach rescue situations in wind turbine generators and use rescue equipment efficiently.

ENTRY CRITERIA

Trainees must have the equivalent to Level 3 English communication skills, and be physical fit to operate safely, without assistance. A medical certificate may be required. Trainees must weigh less than 136kg’s to work at height and be able to rely on the harness and anchors used in the course. They must have access to the tools and equipment, and have access to the appropriate work to evidence their competency.

Entry is otherwise open.
 

Programme

The programme instructs and assesses the knowledge, skills and attitudes for the following GWO Training Modules, aligned to NZQA Unit Standards as follows:

This content has been audited to confirm it meets the requirements of each GWO Training Module as detailed in the GWO Basic Safety Training Standards.

Refresher

The Basic Safety Training Modules above are all valid for 2 years as per GWO policy.

As per GWO policy, a trainee must only attend a Refresher course for a specific Training Module prior to the date of expiry on the current certificate or training records. If a certificate or training record is expired, the trainee must attend the full Basic Safety Training Module(s) to obtain a new training record.less