Safety Technology USA is a part of the Safety Technology group of companies. Founded in the UK over 20 years ago. Safety Technology specializes in safety solutions for workers at height in the renewable and utilities sectors.
As one of the earliest adopters of GWO training, Safety Technology have been training technicians across the world. USA operations currently include training sites in Texas and Iowa, and more are planned to support the fast-growing sector.
STL’s trainers have more than 30 years up tower experience, as well as more than 15 years of teaching experience, so they are able to offer their real-world experiences while imparting knowledge and skills in ways that are most practical and useful in preparing technicians for the wind energy job market.
GWO Basic Safety Training Refreshers are required at 2-year intervals for each GWO Basic Safety module, and GWO Basic Safety Training Refreshers take 3 days to complete, with the option to take modules individually as required.
ABout Safety Technology USA
Established in the United Kingdom more than 20 years ago, STL is subsidiary of the Safety Technology group. The company focuses on providing safety solutions for personnel working at heights, particularly within the renewable energy and utilities industries.
As one of the pioneers in adopting Global Wind Organization (GWO) training, Safety Technology has conducted training programs around the world. Currently, its operations include training facilities located in Texas and Iowa, with additional sites planned to accommodate the rapidly expanding wind sector.
The trainers at STL possess over 30 years of hands-on experience in tower operations, coupled with more than 15 years of instructional expertise, enabling them to share practical insights and the necessary knowledge while effectively teaching essential skills.
STL has a number of courses for wind turbine service personnel and profession in the wind industry.
The GWO Basic Safety Training is a complete course designed for safety accreditation for the wind energy sector, and is a standard in the wind energy job market.
The traditional core modules are Fire Awareness, First Aid, and Manual Handling, with the module Working at Height is combined with the Sea Survival elective module. STL also offers the WindStart program for those new to the wind energy industry.
WindStart Program Lead Jeremy McKelvain explained the basic coursework in an interview in May 2024.:
“Our WindStart program has has a couple of different options. We offer a three week course and a four week course. Our three week course focuses around the GWO certifications, the Global Wind Organization certifications. You get your basic safety training, your basic technical training, your advanced rescue training, and then you get to take an elective.”
In that four week course, students get all of those things as well, and they’re also going to get an additional five days that focuses more on technical training such as lectrical, mechanical, hydraulics, and other things that will be a little bit more industry specific.”
Refresher courses for the GWO Basic Safety Training are recommended for each GWO Basic Safety module on a maximum two-year basis.
Typically, GWO Basic Safety Training Refreshers span 3 days, but the modules can also be taken individually if the employer’s or student’s requirements make a change necessary.
“Standardized entry-level training in the wind industry is good for safety and rescue,” said STL Training Manager Brandon McKelvain in July.
“At STL USA, we use our wind industry experience to develop training that helps technicians get ready for the field. Our WindStart program provides all the standard certificates plus an additional week of technical competency training. There’s a lot more to working on wind turbines than PPE and transition pieces,” he noted.
Making Training Affordable
In cases when an employer is not sponsoring the student’s coursework, STL offers several options to help new students pay for the core curriculum.
For more information, call STL at 512-661-2510 or see their website at https://safetytechnologyusa.com
Photo credits: STL
