GWO standards 2026: what changed and what to check on site

Which GWO standards apply since 2026?

Since 10.03.2026, eight new versions of the GWO wind training standards apply, together with the Requirements for Training V15 and for Certification V14. The six-month grace period ended on 10.09.2026. Since then the new and merged standards are fully in force, and GWO has removed the previous refresher standards from its website (GWO, notice of 02.09.2026).

BST, ART, EFA and CoHE no longer have separate refresher standards: initial training and refresher now sit in one document each. Our glossary explains what the Global Wind Organisation is and how the WINDA database holds training records.

What changes in the ART refresher?

Under ART V6 the refresher takes two days in total instead of three, one day each for ART-HR and ART-NR. Single Rescuer content is integrated into both initial and refresher training, and the standalone Single Rescuer modules are no longer needed. For contractors this means shorter training time and less WINDA administration (GWO, 10.03.2026).

• Initial training: one and a half days each for ART-H and ART-N.
• Rigging and movement follow equipment manufacturer requirements; tensioned line and zip line content was removed, and cross hauling gets more weight.

What changes in BST and BTT?

BST V20 removes the combined Working at Height & Manual Handling module, puts initial and refresher training into one standard and adds the new Sea Survival lesson Walk-to-Work. In BTT V11 the Installation module is split into BTTI-M (mechanical) and BTTI-E (electrical); combined delivery takes 16 hours (GWO, 10.03.2026).

• Walk-to-Work (W2W): safe transfer via motion-compensated gangways as used offshore.
• BST refreshers: all modules now have a practical refresher that simulates workplace scenarios; Working at Height is aligned with manufacturer requirements and industry guidelines, including when reinforced ladder rungs may be used.
• BTTI-M and BTTI-E: available standalone or combined; the combination is equivalent to the previous Installation module of version 10. Prerequisites are removed for standalone BTTI-E.
• HEBS: the basic part of CoHE is now called Hazardous Energies Basic Safety and belongs to BTT; the record is enduring.

What should clients change in requirement lists and site rules?

Requirement lists and site rules should use the current module names and state for installation work whether BTTI-M, BTTI-E or both are required. Instead of fixed version numbers, the wording “valid WINDA record according to the current GWO standard” is recommended, so future updates do not make every template outdated.

In practice: checking training records at site access

1. Check WINDA per module: validity and expiry date for every required module, not just “GWO BST” as a whole.
2. Match module names: for installation, BTTI-M or BTTI-E instead of “BTT Installation”; for offshore gangway transfers, the Walk-to-Work lesson in the Sea Survival module.
3. Rescue: ART-H and ART-N or their refreshers ART-HR and ART-NR; there is no longer a separate Single Rescuer module.
4. Watch the deadlines: BST, EFA, ART and CoHE are refreshed every two years, at the earliest two months before expiry without losing the original date. Once a certificate has expired, the full course is required (GWO Help Centre, as of 10.02.2026).
5. Blade Repair: V6 adds a lesson on chemical substance legislation for epoxy and polyester resins; decide whether your site rules require this version.
6. Records under previous versions: ask us before refusing access or requesting additional training.

How does SAFETEE support you?

In HSE management on project, our HSE managers check contractor training records at site access and keep requirement lists up to date. As SiGeKo on wind farms, we coordinate contractors working on site simultaneously. Our guide to choosing an HSE provider shows which records to request at award. For your site rules, get in touch.