The Dangers of Being a Wind Technician

By Trent Nylander

As a former wind tech and site manager I have seen first-hand the dangers faced day to day by the skilled technicians. With an industry short and in demand of trained professionals we have to deal with the fact that we are our best chance of survival when an accident does occur. As a technician we are provided and taught how to use our PPE and rescue equipment. Then told that we are our first line of rescue in the event of an emergency.

A major cause of deaths and accidents in the industry come from inexperienced sub-contractors. While skilled and trained in their jobs, they lack any types of rescue at heights or self-rescue training. With the shortage of trained and skilled wind technicians in the industry, most technicians put in 50-60 hours weekly. Many sites are understaffed and overworked to meet corporate profit expectations.

It is well known in the industry that OSHA has had no guidelines when it comes to working in the wind industry. Knowingly the fact that OSHA’s guidelines and protocols stop at the door, leave a lot of safety systems bypassed or in such ill repair. The wind industry isn’t a new industry, and many of the first generations of turbines have been pushed beyond their 20-year lifecycle. And yet we are continuing to climb these huge structures with our lives in our own hands, with no oversight from OSHA.

The fact that OSHA has not trained a single inspector on these 300 feet high power plants since their inception is astonishing to say the least. When an incident occurs in a turbine, we are our best chance for rescue. Emergency responders have to wait on us to reach the bottom of the tower, as they too are untrained in rescue at heights. As the industry continues to grow at a feverish pace, we need to ensure the safety of all these technicians in the field. OSHA needs to address these concerns and more to give the employee of this industry a safe and healthy workplace.

Trent Nylander is the Wind Turbine Program Coordinator at Centura College-Norfolk and a GWA member.

GWA at Largest-Ever Labor Notes Conference

On June 16-19, GWA joined over 4,000 other labor activists in Chicago at the largest Labor Notes conference to date. Dalia Bonilla, a solar worker from Texas and GWA spokesperson, said, “I've never been to anything like this in my life. I'm excited to take what I learn back to my solar family. After this, we are starting a job in Oklahoma with another temp agency so Lord knows we need this.” Dalia rode on a plane for the first time in 45 years to attend the conference!

While at Labor Notes, Dalia and organizer Nico Ries met up with three other GWA members at different workshops (and of course over pizza). When asked what was the most meaningful workshop, Dalia said, “ Definitely for me, the Organize the South workshop proved why we need to build unions, especially for us green workers because most of the big jobs are in Right-to-Work states, like my home in Texas."

Being able to build community with other building trades union activists and leadership especially around climate change issues and a just transition off of fossil fuels was very powerful and just what was needed to energize GWA leadership to double down on organizing in this sector. “I see GWA as crucial to the puzzle along with more traditional building trades unions to solve the issues around organizing the emerging and rapidly growing renewable energy field,” Nico said after a workshop on Solidarity along Supply Chains.

Several of our members who were unable to attend in person attended the main livestreamed sessions once they were off of work.

GWA Statement on Supreme Court WV v. EPA Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 30, 2022

Press Contact: gwa@pacificastrategies.com

Green Workers Alliance Condemns WV v. EPA Ruling; Calls Out Big Utilities for Role in Climate Destruction

“We can’t rely on Washington to lead the way...Workers, consumers, and everyday citizens must lead the transition away from fossil fuels.”

Washington D.C. - In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA, Green Workers Alliance, a worker-power organization made of current and aspiring renewable energy workers, released the following statement:

Today’s outrageous decision in West Virginia v. EPA is the culmination of a long-running campaign by the fossil fuel industry and investor-owned utilities to take away the government’s abilities to regulate their dangerous emissions. The utility industry wants to keep us hooked on fossil fuels so they can rake in huge profits while emitting harmful and deadly pollution at the expense of the people, the planet, and workers. But we won’t let the far-right majority of the Supreme Court dictate our future. We are taking the fight directly to utility companies to force them to use more renewable energy and help create millions of good, green jobs.

“The West Virginia v. EPA decision will increase pollution and utility costs, making people sicker while lining the pockets of greedy politicians and corporations. We can’t rely on Washington to save us from climate change and we are running out of time. Now more than ever, we need to organize the people who can lead the transition away from fossil fuels: renewable energy workers,” said Matthew Mayers, Executive Director of Green Workers Alliance. “This is a tragic day for our communities and for the environment, but we have a plan to hold Big Utilities accountable.”

“Right now, people are being laid off from solar and wind jobs because projects are delayed or canceled. Many are going back to oil and gas jobs. Instead of weakening our ability to clean up our energy production, we need utilities to step in and buy more renewable energy so these projects get back on track. But with this new case and similar ones to possibly come forward, renewable energy workers may be even more displaced,” said Crystal McCoy, a heavy equipment operator on renewable energy projects and Green Workers Alliance member.

This devastating decision from a far-right Supreme Court that is out of step with the majority of the American public makes clear Washington will not lead the way on the transition to a green economy. Workers, consumers, and everyday citizens must shift our attention to Big Utility companies and demand they dramatically increase their renewable energy use and set higher labor standards for their renewable energy contractors. Labor, community, and environmental groups must coordinate pressure and hold utilities accountable in the fight for climate justice. With power from the grassroots, we will fight corporate greed and build a power sector that is good for the environment, workers, and utility customers.

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Green Workers Alliance is a worker power organization made of current and aspiring renewable energy workers demanding a just transition off of fossil fuels and an investment into green energy.