The Limpet™: gravity defying technology

Renewable energy: a global industry worth a staggering £400 billion per year. Yet whilst the media focus on the obvious economic and environmental benefits to be derived from this booming sector, the development of ‘green’ energy has bought to the fore a number of important safety issues for energy companies (and the wind industry in particular), to contend with. Not least, wind turbine maintenance and the safety of personnel working at height.

Since 2001, there has been a fourfold rise in wind farm fatalities, of which 27% were workers falling from height.  Unsurprisingly therefore ,as the renewable energy industry grows, the issue of height safety is set to become an increasingly important item on management agendas. (Source National Statistics for the UK published by the HSEii ).

To date, an array of height safety systems, including hydraulic lifts, fall arrest and climb assist systems have been utilised to protect turbine maintenance people, and whilst these undoubtedly help address individual height safety issues, no single system has been able to provide an all in one solution. Until now.

The world's first multifunctional height safety system

Enter Limpet Technology, manufacturer of the Limpet, the world's first multifunctional height safety system.  Using touch of the button technology, the Limpet^TM combines Fall Prevention, Climb Assistance, Rescue, Evacuation and Work Positioning, in one easy to use system.

By condensing current complex rope systems into a single 'clip and go' solution, the Limpet^TM  is set to revolutionise the way in which people work at height and in doing so, could help eliminate working height accidents altogether:

• Proactive Fall Prevention

The Limpet's proactive fall prevention technology continuously and automatically senses and reacts to any movement the user makes, and starts working the moment the user is clipped on. This means that where there is the possibility of a fall occurring, it is prevented before it happens. Even small falls are dangerous, and where competing systems may arrest a fall in a couple of metres, the Limpet^TM prevents any appreciable downward travel, making it ideal in confined restricted spaces such as inside wind turbines, where even the smallest fall or slip can cause injury.

• Intelligent Climb Assist^TM (ICA)

The patented ICA^TM function of Limpet^TM takes the strain out of climbing, reducing climber fatigue and making ascents safer, Unlike the majority of climb assist systems available, which only marginally aid ascending workers, the Limpet's ICA^TM allows the user to select the percentage of assistance they require up to 90% of total body weight (up to 140 kg). ICA^TM automatically calibrates itself when it first senses weight at the end of the tope, then recalibrates when the user stops climbing.  This means that it automatically compensates for the weight of tools and equipment, and crucially prevents another user taking over the system with the wrong level of assistance.

• Rapid Remote Rescue

Fast, safe and simple to operate, the Limpet's integrated rescue feature offers an automatic rescue solution.  Good safety management requires a method of third-party rescue, and the Limpet^TM design includes remote control units (incorporating 1 second lift and measured descent functions), that enable a rescuer on the ground to re-orientate and recover the casualty. Additionally, via the use of a second Limpet system, a rescuer can climb to the casualty and take control of the situation using a dedicated RF remote control.

• 'Clip & Go' Evacuation

The Limpet^TM provides an ever-ready evacuation system, without the need for additional roping systems or user training, reducing both the complexity of the evacuation, and allowing the user(s) to maintain precise control of the process. In extreme situations, the Limpet^TM can safely evacuate multiple users at one time.

• Precise Work Positioning

The Limpet^TM enables users to work at any given height, with complete control over ascent or descent. Using Limpet's^TM remote machine control unit, pin-point accuracy can be performed unsupported by any other structure, temporary or permanent.

Pioneering Height Safety

Designed with the sole aim of enabling total safety at height, Limpet^TM offers a multitude of benefits which extend far beyond the remit of just health and safety. Improved system reliability, operator productivity and cost efficiency gains are just some of the added value areas to be derived from the Limpet^TM.

Jonathan Watson, Managing Director of Limpet Technology Ltd, comments:

"In the world of safety, defying gravity is what it is all about.  We have spent six years developing and testing the Limpet^TM system and believe that the Limpet^TM provides a significant technological advance over current height safety systems. In August 2009, a new CE test standard was developed under the European Personal Protective Equipment Directive to specifically cater for equipment like the Limpet^TM, which has enhanced functionality and much higher safety tolerances. The Limpet^TM provides the means for improved legislation to ensure that industry is making use of new technologies to improve height safety and raise the safety bar."

The Limpet^TM Evaluation Partner Programme

"Since its launch at BWEA31, the Limpet^TM has attracted strong interest from the wind energy industry in particular. Limpet Technology is now inviting interested parties to trial the product on-site to ensure that the Limpet meets their needs"

"The Limpet^TM Evaluation Partner Programme provides an ideal opportunity for customers to use the Limpet^TM on a daily basis to further their product knowledge, and provides a means of rigorously assessing whether or not the Limpet^TM meets their particular height safety requirements. Our team will quickly set up, install and manage the process on site to work with the customer at all stages of the programme"

With the government outlining their Renewable Energy Strategy for 2020 which includes the development of over 7000 wind turbines for the UK alone, never has there been a more important time to focus on the safety of those who work within the wind turbine industry.

Find out more

To receive further information on the Limpet^TM or the Limpet Evaluation Partner Programme please contact:

www.limpettechnology.com            info@limpettechnology.com            +44 (0)131-551-2727