Why Wind Turbine Safety Rules Are Important Today

By Juana Buchanan


Wind has been harvested to power various processes for quite some time. A good example would be using its power to distribute water over a large field. Today, people can generate electricity through it as well. The only problem borders on safety. Most people have wanted procedures to protect them from the dangers associated with wind turbines. Gladly, there are rules to guarantee wind turbine safety.

To appreciate the importance of safety of wind turbines, you need to know some of the dangers associated with the energy. Accidents have resulted from broken turbines and rotor blades. In worst cases, the fractures forming along the rotors, short circuits or overheated propellers can cause fire. Such fires may have irreparable damages to the environment and the nearby homes. Other accidents may also stem from defective generators and bad gearboxes.

Wind power can also impact the health of an individual negatively. For instance, the sonic (infra-sound) that comes from the propellers can lead to depression, deafness insomnia or even vertigo. The fact that ice formations and blade throw can literally injure residents underscores the need for being safe.

There are different perspectives when it comes to issues regarding how safe this machine is. For instance, there are occupational safety procedures for the workers operating at the turbines. Here, they are expected to have the right aprons and be in the company of qualified first aiders. Another perspective focuses on the construction case. In this case, machines like cranes and other binding materials must be inspected and certified as safe for use.

Another approach touches on the the repair contractors. It goes with saying that they must have the right tools and clothing. However, the technicians should ensure that their procedures do not endanger the lives of other workers. The repair team should also have an exit strategy in the event there is fire or generator breakdown.

This type of power, irrespective of the dangers and the stringent safety measures, has its pros and cons. On the brighter side, it provides green energy thus causes no pollution. It is also renewable and permanent. In fact, it has some of the highest potential in the market, with projections that it can provide up to 20 time energy needs of man. Now, provided that the project is safe, it can be constructed near homes and use the least space.

This kind of power can promote development in the rural areas since it affordable to set up and maintain. The fact that governments are not investing in this power generation technique means it is friendly to the taxpayer. In addition and unlike most power generation plants, the fuel needed is more natural and readily available. This means no money is spent on buying and ferrying fuel to the farm.

It is true that there are some shortcomings of wind power. Apart from the stringent procedures, it is noisy. Its reliability also depends on wind thus highly undependable in the absence of it. It may also interfere with the natural beauty of an area.




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