As the risks and challenges increase for tower workers, tower climbers are taking a proactive approach and taking control of their own destiny. There are many things that tower climbers are doing to improve their probability for safety and success while performing their job.
Prevention is Better than Cure
As the risks and challenges increase for tower workers, tower climbers are taking a proactive approach and taking control of their own destiny. There are many things that tower climbers are doing to improve their probability for safety and success while performing their job.
In the world of wireless and the construction of the infrastructure that supports it, most tower climbers are taking every caution. Most towers have no mechanical lifts. Getting to the desired height means scaling rungs handoverhand, usually while wearing bulky safety gear and carrying an equipment bag. The thought process for a tower climber to have is to know everything there is possible to know and to take every necessary step as follows:
1 – OSHA – or NATE – Recognized Training or Tower Climbing Certification
Climbing communications towers is a specialized skill that requires training. The more training received, the better the opportunity to stay abreast of current safety measures and to incorporate them into every aspect of the job.
OSHA-recognized certification courses are recommended for new climbers who require basic climbing skills. Training is required for experienced climbers who can expand their skills, including how to handle rescue situations. Personnel climbing the tower must be also trained for working in RF environments and must know how to use a personal RF monitor.
The skills associated with the job need to be updated periodically with the latest techniques and climbing safety measures. (www.towerclimber.com)
2 – Adequate Safety and Protection Gear
The investment in the necessary equipment and gear is an absolute necessity. Before attempting to scale a tower, a climber must be fully suited with a helmet, safety glasses, gloves, jackets, pants, boots, as well as outfitted with a safety harness, lifeline, carabiners, lanyards, rope grabs, and tool belts.
3 – Keep an RF Personal Alarm Turned On at All Times
While the risk of falling is great, the much bigger problem while working on communications towers is the risk of exposure to unseen radio frequency (RF) radiation. Specialized towers are designed to transmit and receive RF signals via antennas at various levels on the tower. Working on a tower means installers will always be close to an antenna and potentially exposed to RF radiation.
Keeping the RF personal monitor turned on at all times is critical. A tower climber cannot see RF signals. Using the RF personal monitor is the only way to know whether RF signal levels are above the FCC’s Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limit. Always leave it on and wear it on the outside of the RF suit.
4 – Keeping Climbing Safety Gear in Good Repair and Within Allowable Dates-of-Use
It is not good enough to just have equipment and gear. All climbing safety gear comes with an expiration date. The reason is that with extensive use, harnesses, straps, and clips become worn and stressed to the point where they may not perform as intended, particularly at a critical time.
Do not use gear beyond the expiration date.
5 – Use of Proper Warning Signage
Towers are big, hulking structures and warrant the placement of RF radiation warning signs in appropriate locations along the ladder. These signs should be large, bright, and clearly state: “ON THIS TOWER: RADIO FREQUENCY FIELDS NEAR SOME ANTENNAS MAY EXCEED FCC RULES FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE. PERSONNEL CLIMBING THIS TOWER SHOULD BE TRAINED FOR WORKING IN RF ENVIRONMENTS AND SHOULD USE A PERSONAL RF MONITOR.” By using the proper warning signage, climbers receive a clear, bold message that they are entering a hazardous zone.
6 – Accountability Plan for Carrier
Make sure that your safety is the carrier’s foremost priority. In order to start your work, have a set of minimum standards that both the carrier, working conditions, and the environment must meet. Have the carrier sign off this checklist:
- Do communications towers have proper signage? Otherwise, climbing them should be avoided until the RF conditions at that site can be verified by both the occupying carriers and the tower owners.
- Do the carriers know the day(s) and time(s) of day that installers will be on the tower?
- Do you have the appropriate work permits?
- Have arrangements been made to ensure reduced RF transmission levels while the installers are on the tower?
- Has a proper Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedure been implemented in order to protect personnel on the tower, especially if RF transmitters are controlled remotely?
7 – Start out with a Proper Climb Plan
Working on a tower involves coordinating and planning with numerous parties even before stepping up on the first rung. A proper climb plan ensures that everyone is informed and that the work can be conducted on the tower with minimal service interruptions and reduced RF radiation hazard. Involved groups include the carrier that is contracting the work, the tower owners, and other carriers that share the tower or operate from nearby towers.
Self Preservation for Tower Climbers
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