The Michigan State Utility Worker Council (MSUWC) is setting new standards in wind technician safety with an innovative approach to emergency response. In partnership with Consumers Energy, MSUWC is preparing for the possibility of a cardiac event at the top of a wind tower — a scenario where every minute counts.
Charles Dame, MSUWC Generation Safety Representative, is spearheading this initiative. With 33 years of firefighting experience, Dame recognized a critical challenge: traditional rescue personnel are not permitted on wind towers, making it essential for wind technicians to be prepared for emergency responses.
“I got involved in the renewable team 6 years ago,” Dame explains. “We’ve partnered with Consumers Energy to develop a rescue plan and quarterly rescue drills, and we’ve developed a more advanced first aid kit for people to use at the top of the tower.”
MSUWC, Consumers and a medical equipment company teamed up to develop and test groundbreaking rescue procedures. The centerpiece of this initiative is the LUCAS CPR machine, an automated device that can provide consistent chest compressions during the critical 3–5 minute descent from the tower. At $18,000 per unit, Consumers will deploy four machines — one at each site — making it the first organization in the country to implement this technology for aerial rescues.
Using UWUA Power for America (P4A) facilities, MSUWC and the device manufacturer ran practice scenarios simulating CPR in the air and the subsequent descent to the ground. These drills integrate the LUCAS machines with existing safety equipment like the Yates Spec Paks backboard harness system used for lowering patients.
“The machine is simple and takes less than a minute to use,” Dame notes. “We’re really excited about rolling it out and having this tool available. As wind gets more heavily used, it’s not if but when we’ll have an incident. Having a well-trained team is the best outcome we can have.”
This proactive approach to safety underscores MSUWC’s commitment to worker protection. Wind technicians have responded positively to the new equipment, appreciating the enhanced safety measures being implemented before they’re needed. With equipment scheduled to arrive in early January, MSUWC continues to lead the industry in innovative safety solutions.