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Two Dead in Wind Turbine Fire You may be interested in this article. SUMMARY A crew of four was conducting routine maintenance to the 67 meter high turbine. They were in a gondola next to the turbine when a fire broke out. The fire quickly engulfed the only escape route (the stairs in the shaft), trapping two of the maintenance crew on top of the turbine. One of them jumped down and was found in a field next to the turbine. The other victim was found by a special firefighter team that ascended the turbine when the fire died down a bit. The cause of the fire is unknown, but is believed to be a short circuit. Read more at http://www.liveleak.com/...2851#cK81kqWcXBAHdVRB.99
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Rank: Super forum user 
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tragic - makes me think that 'special' self rescue measures should be built in or at least carried to these things as they are here to stay
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Yes very tragic - I wonder if the man jumped or was overcome by fume and fell.
They may want to rethink this :-
and due to high costs maintenance crews have limited
means and training to escape an emergency situation.
Does anyone know :- Is it different in this country ?
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Wind turbine techs all have to do a safe work at height and rescue course before working in a wind turbine. All turbines contain rescue equipment usually in the form of a constant rate descender that is simply clipped into the harness, and attached to anchor points at the door of the nacelle. The device lowers you to the ground at a rate of around 1m per second.
The kits also contain nylon slings to allow attachment anywhere with one the turbine or to carry out a ladder rescue.
All techs have to prove competence on the course, based around the above kits.
Cheers
Phil
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Rank: Super forum user
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Many thanks Phil - I thought they would but have no experience. Is this just a UK or company thing? The video is certainly from overseas. Does this incident tell us that access to this vital equipment might be compromised by the very thing it is intended to protect against?
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Rank: Forum user
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Turbine owners insist on either the renewableuk or GWO Global Wind Organisation SWAH and rescue qual, for the construction, and operations phase. Same all over UK and Europe. The kit is usually stored in a steel box incise the nacelle at the top. It is a single rope system subject to 6 monthly checks. The kits are designed to be used by non frequent climbers and are quite foolproof. Some systems have an abseil type device with fire resisting rope.
Very few farms have specialist expert medical rescue teams, that have specific rope rescue and medical capabilities. The offshore wind farm I work on has several of these teams where I am a team leader.
Cheers
Phil
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Rank: Super forum user
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I've been CPD'd!! Following up your excellent info with a 'google it' approach
Thanks Phil
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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I have not been involved with this area since ~1995 so I am out of touch with the latest designs, systems etc. However in my view such things should be designed safe as against relying on workers to make their escape as the need for escape should be the last option
just my thoughts
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks for the info He02, It's nice to know there are escape methods availible ( which do not sound overly expensive).
Makes you wonder if they had this kit or perhaps these types of fire take hold so quickly that they didn't have time to use them. Still very sad either way.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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oops that is "available" not availible
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Bob,
Please bear in mind they are for evacuating medical emergencies or injured techs too, not necessarily just for event of fire.
Due to remote locations, an injured casualty is usually beyond the remit of statutory emergency services. So as part of the rescue plan for injured or suspended in a harness, they are a method of lowering the casualty to the ground without outside assistance. But harness suspension is a whole other hot potato!
Hi Chris,
As far as I am aware they are provided in the nacelle of every on shore and offshore turbine. Some teams carry the kits as part of their access equipment if they are not provided in the nacelles. They are also useful for carrying out rescues of casualties suspended on fall arrest equipment on the access ladders. They can also be used for raising casualties (only up to 6 metres for most models), but also descend up to 160m.
Cheers
Phil
Cheers
Phil
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