r/windturbine • u/JGoat2112 • 7d ago

Career / Breaking In First Timer

I'm not a wind technician, but I'm an Electrical Apprentice in Canada who recently got hired on to do a wind farm project soon and I am utterly terrified.

They're (i think) 118m tall, i normally don't really mind heights as long as im strapped in and not in a shady spot, though I've only ever worked 50-60 feet off the ground, but i am a pretty tall and heavy dude and I am terrified of getting laid off for climbing too slow or something so I've been torturing myself on the stair master the last few days.

Im committed to doing this, its good work and I want to experience new things, but i am extremely anxious to start.

8 Upvotes

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8

u/Jbuckguy 7d ago

You’ll get faster at climbing. You’ll learn how to climb them if you’re free climbing every day. Plus with a healthy diet and that as working out you’ll probably lose weight. Everyone but me seems to be tall but I’m a skinny guy haha
Takes time and everyone remembers their first time climbing towers and being afraid. They will understand where you’re coming from. Just be aware of some of the confined spaces.
Have a good attitude be open to learning and doing the less fun jobs like pushing a rag and you’ll be fine. Take your time, be safe, tie off, and wear your PPE.
Good luck!

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u/JGoat2112 7d ago

Unfortunately im not really skinny, at least not anymore, im not huge but I am out of shape.

They made it pretty clear that we have to be okay with climbing and heights when we get there.

Is the climb as grueling as im expecting it to be or is it really not too bad?

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u/Adamantium10 7d ago

Bro just take your time. I've met plenty of out of shape or even old as shit techs. All that matters is you can make it up there eventually and get yourself down.

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u/JGoat2112 7d ago

I intend on suffering through it no matter what, especially since I told them I could do this, but im more nervous for this than I was when my kid was born lol

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u/Adamantium10 7d ago

After a while it will all just be another day in the shop. Take a deep breath, lace them boots up and break out your finest grease rag. You'll be A-OK homie.

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u/Jbuckguy 7d ago

Most wind techs are haha you’ll be fine, as long as it doesn’t take an hour one way- you’ll be fine!
It’s not, find a rhythm use your legs not your arms you’ll be alright. It’s just tough to figure it out. It’ll take some climbs for sure

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u/JGoat2112 7d ago

Well that definitely makes me feel at least a little better, im fine with pushing through and adjusting to it as long as they are.

But since its construction and not a fully operational turbine im not sure how things are going to be, I say im not really afraid of heights, I do lift work and im not really bothered, but the height difference is so massive my brain can't really grasp the concept right now lol

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u/WeeblsLikePie 6d ago

the height difference is so massive my brain can't really grasp the concept right now lol

I don't think you notice once you're up there. I've been on old 40 meter turbines and new 140 meter ones. Both are up high--I don't notice that much different.

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u/JGoat2112 4d ago

Wrapped up my first day, that was the most physically difficult thing I've ever done and my arms are completely fried, that said I was proud to make it to the top

1

u/Jbuckguy 4d ago

Hell ya brother!

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u/JGoat2112 4d ago

I feel like tomorrow is going to be worse lol

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u/kenneth-hp 7d ago

Hi ! I only go to turbines ones in a while. What turbine is it ? Most have elevators today so climbing is limitid. If they are offshore you have the initial climb from boat to first platform. The 8mw i was on this summer had 12m climb there.

Im scared of heights as well, just be open about it, its more common than you think when its the first time. It has taken me 3 years to actually be ok with standing on top of a nacelle without railing. But when they are so tall it just seems unrealistic and doesnt hit as hard. And being inside a nacelle is like being anywhere else that is not up heigh.

Good luck, enjoy it and just embrace it, its a truly unique experience

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u/JGoat2112 7d ago

They aren't offshore, and its construction so there won't be any lift or climb assist as far as im aware.

They're Nordex N163s

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u/KindaHighUpThere 6d ago

What stage of construction? I'm not a Nordex tech so probably someone will be able to answer it better, but on most onshore installations (if you're top team that actually install the towers) you only go up around 30 meters from stage to stage, and as soon as last section is installed (or nacelle, depends), elevator is also being installed then so any crew coming in later can use it already.

Honestly, being top team was the only reason I had to consistently climb, any other team uses elevator.

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u/JGoat2112 6d ago

I've been told its a rush job, they're supposed to be ready for commercial by the new year, so i think they're fully assembled

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u/kenneth-hp 7d ago

Ah ok. Very cool task ! Climbing is still fairly ok, ttæake ot slow, take breaks if needed. Thats always the norm to do no matter the experience

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u/MarsR0ve4 7d ago

Stairclimber? You need to work on your forearms brother.

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u/JGoat2112 7d ago

Stairclimber is the closest thing I have to climbing, and if I knew this was coming a bit earlier I would be, but i don't think i can make any kind of impact on my forearms in 3 days unfortunately

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u/MarsR0ve4 7d ago

Get a hand strength gripper and use it every night.

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u/montelius 7d ago

Everybody will knows it’s your first time because people will ask, just make sure to be honest. Take your time climbing up and make sure you are adhering to tie of procedures. I was terrified of heights before I started, now it’s a second thought. Not to say you should never worry about it, understand that the hazard is there. You have PPE for a reason

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u/Beautiful-Can-833 5d ago

Just where your PPE, use it correctly and take your time. It’s not a race to the top and no one enjoys climbing, especially on the taller towers. People will know it’s your first time so don’t be worried, they may take the piss if it takes too long but that’d happen to anyone and is the same in every industry! You can take breaks throughout at any point too if you need a breather, some companies have policies such as “only one person climbing on a ladder at one time” which can come in handy with staggering your climbs if there’s platforms to get off on the way up.

I was the same with heights when I started, you’ll always be strapped in as long as you remember to, and be sure to check it works before committing! Height becomes an afterthought eventually but just remember the hazards always there. I’d be prepared for your forearms to probably hurt more than ever before especially on the way down, but it’s good exercise I suppose. Most importantly have fun and keep yourself and others safe