Anti-slip tape on wind turbines

Wind turbines, otherwise known as aerofoil-powered generators, are rotary propeller devices. They transform wind-generated kinetic energy into electrical power.

The most popular term used to describe them is ‘wind turbine’, although technically, the design has no turbine. The name has in fact migrated from parallel hydroelectric technology, known as rotary propeller.

At the forefront of technology for renewable/sustainable energy, wind turbines are installed over parts of the land or sea in formations known as ‘wind farms’. We have all seen the large, towering structures that these are most apparent, but there are also much smaller variants to help charge auxiliary power for caravans, small boats and even street lights in some cases. Doing this has a massive impact on the use of fossil fuels, reducing our reliance on them.

The large wind turbines, being mechanical, require maintenance from time to time, and must be serviced from time to time with routine checks to ensure they do not fail. Services must be performed by someone physically checking them, and this means climbing up on to the structure to check it’s status. With the locations chosen being of a windy inclination, it means safety precautions must be strictly undertaken to ensure safe ascent and descent. The use of harnesses, helmets, gloves and even warm clothes must be used to ensure a successful and safe job.

The top of most wind turbines is a curved panel, which is completely smooth by default. Combining this with a windy environment, and the risk of a slip and fall increases further.

Heskins has provided their Safety Grip to be applied to the surface, ensuring slip prevention and increasing the safety of servicemen and women even further. Heskins white Safety Grip has been applied to the surface, providing excellent CoF (coefficient of friction) levels. The aluminium oxide grit on the surface creates an industrial grade non slip material, with a strong adhesive on the underside to ensure a durable application, that withstands the elements. With the top walking surface of the wind turbine being curved, having Heskins Safety Grip applied to the surface is perfect slip prevention, as it conforms to the curvature of the surface, with no detrimental effect.

On the supplied picture, the Safety Grip is applied in 150mm wide strips, this is more cost effective and easier to apply, as it provides efficient slip protection like a large sheet of anti-slip tape, but at a lower cost.

Heskins can supply Safety Grip in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes, ranging from 19mm up to 1,168mm in width and 19.3m in length. Custom anti-slip solutions can be supplied dependent on order quantity.