While wind power is one of the safest ways to generate energy, workers in the wind industry still face hazards on the job.

Hazardous weather, heights, and regular on-the-job injuries are all issues that affect wind turbine construction safety.

Here are some wind turbine safety practices as suggested by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Windpower Engineering and Development magazine.

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Like any piece of machinery, a wind turbine can only do its job with proper maintenance. Vibration and movement put stress on the turbine, which means the bolts holding them together must be recalibrated and retightened frequently.

It takes a lot of bolts to keep a wind turbine turning – roughly 1,500 per some estimates – which means wind turbine maintenance requires precise, durable tools.

“Because of the rigorous physical demands faced by technicians, not having the proper tool can slow down maintenance, or, more troubling, may increase the chances of a task being performed with a tool that is less than optimal,” writes Mark Del Franco in North American Wind Power.

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