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windymiller
New Member
United Kingdom
57 Posts |
 Posted - 01/04/2008 : 10:49:18
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Hi Ben and gotwind members and viewers.
Ive got a question about wind turbine dangers?.
Given that the government is relaxing the laws about erecting small turbines on dwellings,ive got concerns about a possible increase in homemade turbine accidents.
Its frequently mentioned on youtube about turbine disasters!!!!(ive had a few myself)
Do members think that the government will quickly bring in rules/law to govern home made none "type " approved genny's.....i hope not....it sort of spoils the whole enjoyment of building them.
What do you think?.
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BushWhacker
Junior Member
Canada
255 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 16:53:38
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This opinion comes from across the pond but I'll try to give it some perspective.
The rate and severity of any injuries and or property damage that occurs due to 'shoddy design, materials, or workmanship' will be the driving force behind future legislation on 'home brew' wind power. In short, people who make the time and effort to build a safe turbine will be punished because of the 'that will do' builders. If I found shards of 'exploded' blades in my back garden on a regular basis I would start to worry about the safety of my back garden. Throw some children into the picture and I think you would have one angry neighbor.
Noisy blade sets would be another concern to be taken into account. If you don't live near an airport but it sounds like that whenever it gets windy, I'm sure you would hear about it.
For some perspective, around this area the alarm bells start ringing when an intersection with out traffic lights has 2.5 fatalities. (don't even ask how they figure out .5 of a fatality???) At the time a third fatality occurs and investigation of the intersection and traffic flow occurs. At that point corrective measures are taken.
I know my perspective example isn't related to wind power but I believe the same principal will be applied to wind power. As with many laws the inattentive behavior of a few affects us all.
Cheers!
BW
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. - Albert Einstein |
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windymiller
New Member
United Kingdom
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 18:10:48
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Thanks Bushwhacker....Its quite regimented over here in uk.
I recently had my windows changed with pvc frames and double glazed units and the type of glass used has to be of a certain spec......when the windows have been fitted ,an inspector comes round and checks that the glass is of the approved type,then gives you a certificate.
The glazier(widow fitter) is charged a fee for the check!!! which in turn was passed onto me.
It seems when ever theres an opportunity to make a bit of money...out comes a new law.
Nothing surprizes me here anymore....were all slaves to a system
Must admit though, i dont think you can beat safety of a solar panel in comparison of a wind genny, for the obvious reasons.
But wind gennys do have that facination factor and keeps us all buzzing in the construction of them.
Fingers crossed ,they'll keep their noses out!!!!
Cheers WM |
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gotwind
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 21:08:25
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Good point windymiller - The U.K government is so inept, I can't see any laws going through any time soon.
Safety is always a huge concern to me, particularly with sharing ideas on a forum, as some seasoned wind enthousiasts here will appreciate the power of wind can be awesome.
As I have said many times before, the last thing I want to read reported here is that someone or something has had a nasty accident due to poor DIY construction.
SAFETY FIRST GUYS - A complete page should be written on this I think.
Ben. |
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BushWhacker
Junior Member
Canada
255 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2008 : 02:06:00
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Ben, you are scaring me now! I just finished my schooling for a National Construction Safety Officer. I'm having nightmares about Job Hazard Assessments and Safe Work Procedures then you had to type that? *LOL*
Really though if DIY folks just use common sense, in by far MOST applications they will be OK. Of course someone won't use common sense.
Edited to add: If you want to know the power of the wind carry a sheet of plywood facing the wind (on a calmer day).
Cheers!
BW
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. - Albert Einstein |
Edited by - BushWhacker on 02/04/2008 02:09:40 |
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MattM
New Member
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2008 : 02:45:44
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In the states we have these people with jobs like yours, bw. They work for an outfit called OSHA. Much like working for any entities that generate money off the common people - fairly or otherwise - its best not to divulge that sort of thing very readily. The only outfit one could work for that would blacklist them worse socially is the IRS.
Go Huskers! |
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gholt
Starting Member
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2008 : 03:54:11
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Ben,
You're absolutely correct - SAFETY FIRST!
Unfortunately, this is not always the case ... Here's a couple of youtube videos which pretty dramatically demonstrate this and how WindyMiller's concerns are very justified.
Videos by GreenEngineer07
Renewable Energy: Wind Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klFoqqgLHCA
Wind Turbine Destroyed by high winds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGOoyzmm7MY
Garland |
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BushWhacker
Junior Member
Canada
255 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2008 : 02:30:17
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Well Matt, you are jumping to conclusions. I work in the private sector with some simple goals.
1)To send everyone home at the end of the day as opposed to sitting in a hospital, waiting for medical attention.
2)Having those same workers leave work with all of the body parts they came to work with, functioning properly.
3)Making the safety program of the company I work for compliant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which is law.
I'm more of a coach and trainer than a 'safety cop'. While I do enforce compliance to the safety rules of the company, those are the same rules that the employee agreed to, when they were hired on. I really don't think making workers safer and attempting to keep them healthy is a bad thing. Do you?
Sorry, I'm not the social leper you are looking for.
gholt I'm willing to bet GE07's next turbine has auto furl. All it takes is one child to take 'shrapnel' and the boom lowers on all DIY's
BW
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. - Albert Einstein |
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Turbine concerns.
