GWO Standards Updated for Hand Tool and Dropped Object Safety

To better protect technicians and equipment, GWO has integrated new learning objectives into ten existing training standards. Released on 2nd May 2025, the revised training standards now include Hand Tool Awareness and Dropped Object Prevention learning elements. More specifically, these updates target a critical safety concern in the wind industry- preventing injuries and equipment damage caused by dropped objects and improper tool use. Rather than introducing a separate standard, the GWO Training Committee chose to embed this content directly into existing standards for greater impact.

Addressing evolving training needs

11 subject matter experts from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Taiwan, Texas and the UK led the initial working group, analysing incident reports and workplace hazards to identify critical gaps in training. Following this analysis, the GWO Training Committee decided to integrate hand tools and dropped objects (HTDO) learning objectives into existing standards, instead of developing a standalone version. The result: clearly defined HTDO learning objectives now appear in ten GWO training standards:

• Advanced Rescue Training

• Advanced Rescue Training Refresher

• Basic Safety Training

• Basic Safety Training Refresher

• Basic Technical Training

• Blade Repair

• Control of Hazardous Energies (CoHE)

• CoHE Refresher

• Crane and Hoist Training

• Service Lift Training

These changes ensure that all relevant standards address the safe handling of tools and the mitigation of dropped object risks.

Turning safety insights into improvements

The updated standards were developed through GWO’s comprehensive project process, incorporating stakeholder hearings, public consultations and pilot testing of revised training modules. The updated standards will provide the workforce with enhanced safety knowledge, ensuring better preparedness to manage risks associated with hand tools and dropped objects. These improvements address the evolving safety needs of the industry and reaffirm GWO’s commitment to a safer wind workforce.

On 22nd May 2025, GWO will be holding two webinars presenting the new changes.

Join the Hand Tool Awareness and Dropped Object webinars

• Register here for the morning session (09:00-10:00 CEST)

• Register here for the afternoon session (15:00-16:00 CEST)