INDUSTRIAL CLIMBERS
changes. “In the wind industry, which I specialize
in, we are actually true fair-weather workers. In any
event, cool weather and wind are everyday life for
us. At these altitudes we are very exposed, after all.
I experienced a really hairy situation when a storm
suddenly blew in while I was hanging from a rotor
blade. I was really glad when I reached the ground
again safely.”
Tommy Liebmann has now arrived at one of
the points where he has to affix an ice detection
patch. While it is already getting dark down below
in the forest, the altitude professional witnesses
a fantastic sunset. But he pays no attention to
it. “We want to finish up today, and then we can
go back tomorrow.” Industrial climbers rarely
have permanent employers; they usually work
as freelancers in the most diverse locations and
with changing tasks. “It is very easy to attach the
sensors because all we have to do is sand and clean
the surface. We do not have to go deep into the
fiber. Then we just stick it on. Moreover, we can
also move very quickly and safely along the rotor
blade.”
Dangerous time pressure
If you have the chance of speaking to one of these
rare climbing professionals, it would be a missed
opportunity if you didn’t raise the question of
really dangerous assignments. Keller shrugs his
shoulders. “It only becomes dangerous for us
when the client puts pressure on us and safety is
neglected. In one case, colleagues drew in the safety
ropes from an active screw conveyor on the ground
while another was still working inside a sugar silo.
That almost ended badly. Another climber was hit
Everything you need: There is no time for forgetfulness
on the wind turbine generator, because ascents and
descents are time-consuming and expensive
24
UPDATE 5/20
The Phoenix Contact innovation magazine