Top Tower Climber Certifications

NATE

TOWER CLIMBING AND RESCUE: NATE CERTIFICATION

VSI Tower Climbing & Tower Rescue Authorized Climber

VSI’s training programs have been developed in accordance with the guidelines set by the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) Tower Climber Fall Protection Training Standard.

Our training programs have been designed to ensure that the student understands the proper techniques and practices to safely work at heights. By its very nature, this type training can be hazardous. VSI promises to ensure your safety is never compromised during training.  In return, we expect that students show up for training ready, both mentally and physically, to learn.  Adequate rest is important on the days we are training, and we expect students to be on time, each day.  This module will introduce the student to the world of fall protection. The student will also receive an introduction to the training program, the instructor, and their training provider, Vertical Systems International Inc.

 

FALL PROTECTION

Is Fall Protection Training Necessary?

Safety regulatory bodies across North America mandate that employers are responsible for identifying work place hazards, and training workers to manage these hazards.

Recommended for:

• construction workers


• safety professionals


• trade and maintenance workers

Topics Covered

• fall protection equipment design, use, and compatibility


• definitions


• applicable regulations


• applicable standards


• basic and advanced rigging systems


• rescue systems

Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of the VSI fall protection courses, students will be able to competently protect themselves and others when working at heights. Choose the training that is appropriate for your work situation.

• Level I –Basic Fall Protection and Awareness
  


• Level II – Systems Training
  


• Level III – Competent Person
  

 

TOWER CLIMBING AND RESCUE

Vertical Systems International provides safe and simple solutions to organizations with workers climbing towers and industrial structures that are long distances from organized emergency response teams.  VSI Tower Climbing training programs are NATE approved and consist of classroom and hands-on training.  VSI tower training is recommended for maintenance personnel, safety professionals, ski patrol managers, lift maintenance workers, and anyone who works at heights or is responsible for the supervision and safety of others who work at heights.

Choose the training that is appropriate for your work situation:

• Level II – Basic Tower Climbing Awareness
  


• Level III – Authorized Climber: Systems Training
  


• Level IV – Competent Climber/Competent Rescuer
  

ROPE ACCESS & SPRAT CERTIFICATION

Rope Access is a form of work positioning, initially developed from techniques used in climbing and caving, that is applied to the various needs of industry.

Rope Access training is recommended for anyone that is required to work at heights in their industry. Choose the training that is appropriate for your work situation:

• Level I – Basic Rope Access & Awareness
  


• Level II – Systems Training
  


• Level III – Competent Person
  

 

CONFINED SPACE

Confined space training allows for work to be performed in locations with a restricted entry/exit, that are not designed for human occupancy and where depleted atmosphere or injury may render a worker helpless.

Confined space training is recommended for workers who enter confined spaces with potential hazards, and for maintenance workers or safety professionals.

Topics Covered:

• Confined Spaces Definitions and Terminology


• Confined Space Programs


• Applicable Regulations & Standards


• Basic and Advanced Rigging Systems


• Rescue Systems

 

COMTRAIN

Tower Safety & Rescue (Authorized Climber/ Rescuer) 2 Days – $835 

Basic Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue (Authorized Climber/Rescuer) is an intensive 2-day program and is constructed to meet the employer’s obligation to train based on OSHA regulations as related to work on wireless communication sites. The class will make climbers aware of ANSI standards and equipment needed to meet those standards. Some specific areas addressed include site hazard assessment/inspection, mandated safety meetings, fall protection (PFAS and fall restraint techniques), fixed ladder usage, PPE and OPE and emergency contingency planning (including rescue techniques). Comtrain’s Authorized Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue training meets all current tower safety training standards including OSHA, NATE, American Tower, Bechtel, Black & Veatch, General Dynamics, MasTec, WesTower and all others.

DAY 1:

The first day is spent in the classroom. A combination of lectures, custom and generic video programs, slides and equipment demonstrations are used to ensure that students understand hazard assessment and protection. The student textbook is 242 pages packed with practical information.

The material covered includes pre-climb safety and planning, environmental and structural hazard assessment, tools and equipment, body mechanics, suspension procedures and emergency techniques. This is a full eight-hour session and frequently runs to nine hours with any animation on the part of the students.

Tower Safety & Rescue – Authorized Climber-rescuer – 2-Days

DAY 2: 

The second day begins in the classroom with a review followed by a written examination covering the previous day’s material. Students must score 75% to pass the exam. The class then mobilizes to a tower and begins the field portion of training.

Field Practice Tasks:

Students will hold a safety meeting and review critical issues. Students will perform a hazard assessment individually and jointly, then review the findings. Each student is given a checklist of exercises to perform during the program. Everyone will climb and descend the tower using either a safe climb device, a vertical lifeline rigged as a temporary safe climb device, or both. Students will maneuver across the structure maintaining 100% connection and working with both lanyards and SRLs. Students will rig and use a temporary horizontal lifeline if the structure allows. Each student will perform two rescue exercises using an ascending/descending system, a suspension device, or both. One rescue will be done as the simulated fallen climber and one as the rescuer. Students will de-rig the structure and hold a post-exercise review.

(If you are interested in obtaining a textbook ahead of time, or any of our other publications, please go to the Comtrain Store page.) Be aware, however, that the cost of your course includes books.

Records and completion: 

ComTrain will maintain records of all training for future reference including:

Certification documents, tests, field checklists and student rosters signed by our instructors proving that the student successfully mastered the published material and exercises.

Students Will Receive:

• Student Textbook & other materials necessary for the course

Upon successful completion and graduation the student will receive:

• Certificate suitable for framing


• Wallet ID Card

Advanced Tower Safety & Rescue (Competent Climber) 3 Days – $1330

1 Day Upgrade – $495

 

Advanced Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue (Competent Climber) is an intensive 3 day course that provides a “CTC” certification designed for the crew leader, project manager or advanced climber. Many contractors are requiring their sub-contractors to have Competent Climbers on the job. This course teaches more advanced rescue techniques, self-rescue and rope access skills, rescue planning and response as well as victim evaluation and advanced first aid during rescue/suspension. Advanced Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue Training meets all current tower safety training standards including OSHA, NATE, American Tower, Bechtel, Black & Veatch, General Dynamics, MasTec, Westower and all others.

This course has a pre-requisite of a documented six months of direct field experience working on related job sites and climbing. The employer must attest to the fact that the student is recognized as having the authority of a “Competent Person” (as defined by OSHA) on a job site. The student must have completed the Basic 4th Edition “Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue” course within the last 12 months.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

General Course Overview:

DAY 1: The first day is spent in the classroom with the 2-day BASIC Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue students.

DAY 2:

The second day begins in the classroom with a review, followed by a written examination covering the previous day’s material. Requirements and expectations are all the same as for students going only through basic level, and advanced climber candidates mobilize at the tower with the rest of the class.

At the tower, all students participate in the pre-climb activities and all tower exercises.

(See the Basic Authorized Climber/Rescuer class information for full details.)

DAY 3: 

Advanced candidates remain for the third day and will be required to complete a series of advanced field exercises on a communications tower. Demonstrations will include rigging skills, knot tying and four rescue exercises with differing levels of utilization of equipment & techniques needed for accomplishing the exercises.

COMPLETION & CERTIFICATION:

Students who have successfully passed the written exam and demonstrated all field exercises will receive a certificate and wallet identification card from ComTrain. ComTrain will maintain records of all training for future reference. Certification documents, proving that the student successfully mastered the published material and exercises. ComTrain certificates do not have an expiration date and are valid until they no longer meet OSHA regulation guidelines.

(If you are interested in obtaining a textbook ahead of time, or any of our other publications, please go to the Products page.) Be aware, however, that the cost of your course includes this book. (Click here for class schedule & locations)

Students Will Receive:

• Student Textbook & other materials necessary for the course

Upon successful completion and graduation the student will receive:

• Certificate suitable for framing


• Wallet ID Card

In-House Instructor (Train the Trainer) 4 Days – $3465

1 Day Upgrade – $2135

 

This course is designed to prepare a company’s in-house instructor to incorporate ComTrain’s “Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue” training into their companies’ safety plans and policies. They must do so while maintaining the current OSHA standards. This class teaches how to research regulations, compliance and policy issues, how to enrich the course with personal stories, current events, approved practices, equipment, and company policies. The class will make the instructor candidates aware of their liability and responsibilities, the employer’s liability and responsibilities and the laws and regulations pertaining to them. Candidates are taught how to complete or modify forms, maintain documentation and incorporate changes. Candidates are also introduced to the vague issues of “continued” training and provided with workable suggestions. They will also learn how to work with ComTrain’s In-House Instructor Support Staff to acquire Certifications for the students they train.

The Instructor program accomplishes these primary tasks for the employer: it teaches how to use proper applications, enables implementation of company practices and safety plans, teaches where to find answers and demonstrates proper record-keeping & documentation. This class maximizes efficiency & company legal compliance.

The Instructor Course pre-requisite is that the candidate must have completed ComTrain’s Basic (Authorized Climber/Rescuer) and Advanced (Competent Climber) classes within the last 12 months with the same company. He/she must be current in ComTrain’s 4th edition Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue curriculum.

The In-House Instructor must attend a Re-Certification Class every 24 months to stay current and receive continued support from ComTrain. This Re-Certification will allow companies to meet the time frame requirements specified in many contractor guidelines for training certification. The course will give the ComTrain In-House Instructor a review of current standards and regulations so that the most updated safety & rescue training can be incorporated into your company’s training program.

Employers and Instructor candidates should read and may print the rules pertaining to the ComTrain In-House Instructor program.

This class maximizes efficiency & company legal compliance.

Students Will Receive:

• Hardbound “Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue Instructor Edition”


• Three copies of the “Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue” Student Textbooks


• ComTrain’s series of Pocket Primers


• Digital Audio/Visual Training Aids on DVD which include:
  
  
  
  1. Multiple Accident & Training Video Clips
  
  
  2. Documents needed to teach your course
  
  
  3. ComTrain’s Power Point Class slideshow presentation
  
  
  4. Quizzes
  
  
  5. Class Rosters
  
  
  6. Class and field training forms & checklists
  
  
  7. Sample class lecture outline
  
  
  8. Tests & Grading Keys
  
  
  
  

EVERYTHING you’ll need to conduct your classes will be in your Instructor Kit!

Graduate Instructors will receive their certificate mounted on a plaque and a wallet ID card.

Tower Safety & Rescue (Non-Climber/Authorized Person) 2 Days

Add-On for In-House Instructors – $495 (One Time Fee)

 

Comtrain is now offering our Non-Climber/Authorized Person Certification package option to In-House Instructors so they can deliver this training to their employees.

Call our office for details and information on our Add-On Module – $495/Instructor.

Non-Climbers students can often be added to a Hosted/Private or Open Class when arrangements are made in advance. There is a “minimum number of students” and other requirements. The price per student is $835.

The course was created for individuals that work with crews that are performing tower work but are not actually required to climb, such as Project Managers, Engineers, Technicians and Customer Liaisons. These individuals are seeking the authorized person training required to manage the safety of the project work site and assure all employees on the project site are aware of current standards and are in compliance with OSHA regulations. These students will also be trained in assisted rescue techniques.

This program involves candidates completing an intensive two-day program in conjunction with those taking the “Basic Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue” certification class. This course must take place in conjunction with the “Basic Tower Safety & Rescue” climbing class so that the non-climbers can observe tower activities in real time.

DAY 1:

Candidates will complete the same full day of classroom training required of climbers taking our “Basic Tower Climbing Safety and Rescue” class. They will interact with the climbers and will have the additional homework assignment of developing a formal safety plan for the next day which is in the field on a tower with the climbers.

DAY 2:

Candidates will take tests with the climbers, then mobilize to the live tower site. Non-climber students won’t climb, but they will be dealing with all the issues normally addressed in the climbers’ jobs. In the field, non-climbers will participate in the site safety meeting which includes selection and inspection of safety equipment. They will present their individual safety plans (homework)to be evaluated and then modified, if needed, according to the program. During the field activities, non-climbers will complete a written critique and work with their instructor on evaluating the climbers and their activities.

Candidates who have

• successfully passed the written exam with 75% or better


• completed an approved pre-mobilization plan (with a ComTrain Instructor)


• completed their field check list & critique sheets

will be certified as Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue Non-Climbers.

Graduates receive a certificate for framing and a wallet ID card.

TEESCO

Tower and Climbing

 

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Authorized Climber

 

The Authorized Climber program is designed to prepare individuals with little or no experience to be able to safely climb and work on various types and sizes of towers. This course combines the cognitive and the psychomotor domains of training, which assures that the student will develop the knowledge base necessary to safely climb and work on towers, as well as the practical skill sets necessary to be able to safely perform his or her duty.

Study options include a private class and open enrollment (single seat purchase) This class is a prequisite for the 3 day Tower Rescue course. This class is a prequisite for the 3 day Tower Rescue course. 2014 OPEN ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE: Oct 7 – Staunton VA Nov 17 – Kankakee IL Oct 20 – Kankakee IL Dec 9 – Phoenix AZ Nov 4 – Phoenix AZ Dec 15- Indianapolis IN   Nov 17 – Kankakee IL Dec 9 – Phoenix AZ Dec 15- Indianapolis IN

 

Item# Qty/ Uom	Manufacturer Mfg. Part No. Mfg. Warranty	Description
361125 1 EACH	CITCA SP5233-PVT	1 day private class held at an approved facility. Maximum number of students is 8. THIS SKU FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Contact TESSCO at 800-472-7373 for scheduling and class information. Read courseOUTLINE
382264 1 EACH	CITCA SP5233-OE	1 day open enrollment class held at a CITCA facility. Maximum number of students is 8.THIS SKU FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Contact TESSCO at 800-472-7373 for scheduling and class information. Read courseOUTLINE

 

Tower Rescue and Competent Climber

This course has been reviewed by OSHA and exceeds the minimum requirements set by OSHA for the tower erection industry. The course is taught by vertical rescue specialists and experts in the tower erection industry.

Item# Qty/ Uom	Manufacturer Mfg. Part No. Mfg. Warranty	Description
382646 1 EACH	CITCA SP5302-PVT	3 day private class for maximum 8 students, held at customer’s location or CITCA facility. THIS SKU FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Contact TESSCO at 800-472-7373 for scheduling and class information. Read courseOUTLINE
322804 1 EACH	CITCA SP5302-OE	Single seat in 3 day Open Enrollment class at a CITCA location. Maximum of 8 students. THIS SKU FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Contact TESSCO at 800-472-7373 for scheduling and class information. Read course OUTLINE

Advanced Understanding of Rigging & Rope

This course will teach the student the industry standards applicable to most communications related rigging techniques.

Item# Qty/ Uom	Manufacturer Mfg. Part No. Mfg. Warranty	Description
332683 1 EACH	CITCA SP5305-PVT	1 day private class held at customer’s location or TESSCO approved facility. Maximum number of students is 10. THIS SKU FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Contact TESSCO at 800-472-7373 for scheduling and class information. Read OUTLINE

 

Fall Protection,e-Learning

This 1hr online course gives you a basic understanding of OSHA’s role in prevention and elimination of work-related illnesses and injuries. The OSHA standard identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. It clarifies what an employer must do to provide fall protection for employees, such as identifying and evaluating fall hazards and providing training. Under the standard, employers are able to select fall protection measures compatible with the type of work being performed.

 

Item# Qty/ Uom	Manufacturer Mfg. Part No. Mfg. Warranty	Description
313824 1 EACH	360 Training Institute.com 36TSP5301-ELN	1hr online module. Self-paced. Username and password required. Read course OUTLINE

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TECHNICAL RESCUE SYSTEMS

2 – Day

“Authorized Climber – Rescuer”

This “Authorized Climber / Rescuer” Training course covers in depth, the needs of fall protection in the industrial environment.  Working in a vertical realm creates a host of fall protection needs and concerns.  This course covers the specific equipment, harnesses, fall protection lanyards, secondary fall protection lines, anchoring challenges, edge protection, job briefings, ascending needs, logging and documentation of all equipment and training.  This course follows, meets and exceeds OSHA CFR 1910.268 – ANSI Z359 & Z490 – NATE CTS Industry Standards as it pertains to Authorized Climber / Rescuer.

3 – Day

“Advanced Authorized Climber – Rescuer”

“Competent Climber – Rescuer”

This “Advanced Authorized – Competent Climber/ Rescuer” Training course covers more in depth the needs of fall protection in the industrial environment.  More emphasis is directed on the problem solving of proper anchoring and advanced techniques in tower rescue.  Techniques utilizing the “Skate and Block” technique and a “Second Lifeline Transfer” technique is reviewed, demonstrated, and trained – hands-on.

The course covers the specific equipment, harnesses, fall protection lanyards, secondary fall protection lines, anchoring challenges, edge protection, job briefings, ascending needs, logging and documentation of all equipment and training.  This course follows, meets and exceeds OSHA CFR 1910.268 – ANSI Z359 & Z490 –

Rescue is a vital and often required part of your training and program needs.  TRS focuses on several parts to the realm of “rescue”:

Rescue is a vital and often required part of your training and program needs.  TRS focuses on several parts to the realm of “rescue”:

Vertical Rescue of a:

“Ill or Injured Victim at Height” – There are many ways and techniques available to rescue someone from height.  TRS has been keeping up with the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and techniques along with proven ways to teach these.

“After the Fall” – What to do in the event the worker has fallen onto their fall arrest lanyard / system.

Utilizing one of five “Advanced / Competent” rescue techniques:

* “Self Rescue”

* “Pick-Off”     Ladder / Step Bolt side of tower

* “Pick-Off”     Center / Free suspended inside of tower

* “Lowering utilizing the Skate and Block” technique to lower the victim away from the structure / tower

* “Rescue Lifeline Transfer” for rescue situation where the height of the structure / tower exceeds the length of the rescue lifeline (Typically towers over 300 feet).

 

CITCA

 

Basic Certificate

     Authorized Climber                                                                                                                                                            8 Hours

The Authorized Climber program is designed to prepare individuals with little or no experience to be able to safely climb and work on various types and sizes of towers.  This course combines the cognitive and the psychomotor domains of training, which assures that the student will develop the knowledge base necessary to safely climb and work on towers, as well as the practical skill sets necessary to be able to safely perform his or her duty.

This course will address a variety of subject areas including, regulatory safety standards, equipment commonly used, engineering controls, work practice controls, and return demonstrations.  Upon completion of this program, the authorized climber should be able to demonstrate proper knowledge, understanding, and application of the equipment used, as well as safe practices to be employed at all time that he or she is working on the tower.

Emergency Medical Response                                                                                                                                             8 Hours

This 2 part course combines CPR/AED/First Aid with Protection From Bloodborne Pathogens.  This course follows the prescribed requirements of the American Heart Association and is designed to meet the requirements of OSHA 1910.1030, the Bloodborne Pathogens standard.  While it is recognized that tower erectors face minimal risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, they do occasionally provide basic first aid to co-workers who might be injured on the job, and require proper training to acclimate themselves to the risks, and to prevent any occupational exposure from occurring.

OSHA 10 Hour Course for the Construction Industry                                                                                            10 Hours

This course, as prescribed by OSHA, provides safety training to workers in the construction industry in basic hazards they are normally faced with. To achieve compliance, this course includes the required OSHA course content and is instructed by OSHA certified instructors.

Tower Rescue and Competant Climber                                                                                                                         24 Hours

This course has been reviewed by OSHA and exceeds the minimum requirements set by OSHA for the tower erection industry.  Course contents includes, but is not limited to: rescue training, knowledge of fall arrest systems, anchors, and Accident Reporting procedures.  The course is taught by vertical rescue specialists and experts in the tower erection industry.

Advanced Understanding of Rigging and Ropes                                                                                                          8 Hours

This course will teach the student the industry standards applicable to most communications related rigging techniques.  Taught by the Crosby Group, Inc. this course provides rigging standards, uses and applications for slings, shackles, and hooks to workers in the construction industry in order to impart the most efficient and safe methods of use.

Tower Erection Basics                                                                                                                                                        8 Hours

This course combines classroom and hands-on instruction to teach and expose the student to the basic techniques and standards necessary to erect the most common communication towers, utilizing industry standards applicable to basic tower erection.

RF Safety and Hazard Awareness                                                                                                                                  8 Hours

This course combines RF safety and site and equipment signage, as prescribed by industry and OSHA standards, trains students in the telecommunication construction industry the recommended site and equipment associated signage and hazard communication to be utilized on the typical communications construction job site to assure personnel and equipment safety.  Students are also trained in RF hazards, and ways to protect themselves from RF health and safety risks.

 

Vertical Safety Solutions LLC

VSS101 –Tower Climbing Safety – $325.00

This one day course will cover the fundamentals of tower climbing and PPE safety. Students will spend the first half of the day in class learning the basics of climbing, equipment, tower styles and site hazards. Balance of the day will be spent on a tower practicing and performing the tasks learned in class. 

CERTIFICATE TRAINING

This class is recommended for the person who is new to the industry and has no experience in tower climbing and climbing equipment terminology, use or inspection.

VSS211 Authorized Non-Climber Safety and Rescue – $725.00 

This two day class coincides and interacts with students taking VSS212. This course is developed for non-climbers such as ground workers, supervisors, and other tower site personal that do not climb but do need to know what safe climbing and suitable rescue procedures are. CERTIFICATION TRAINING

VSS101 or equivalent is required to take VSS211 Authorized “Non-Climber” Safety & Rescue

 

VSS212 – Authorized Climber Safety and Rescue – $725.00

This two-day class coincides and interacts with students taking VSS211 & VSS313. Authorized Climber Safety and Rescue exceeds OSHA1926.503, NATE CTS, ANSI Standards and recommendations pertaining to training requirements for fall protection safety. Students will be taught to understand the mechanics and correct procedures for selection, use and operation of the equipment and tools used on the job. This course also covers employee roles and responsibilities, OSHA law, company policy, site hazards, rope, knots, equipment inspection, care and maintenance, rigging, safety plan, coworker rescue, self-rescue, and controlled descent. 

CERTIFICATION TRAINING

VSS101, equivalent class or 6 months verified climbing experience is required to take VSS212.

VSS313 – Advanced Tower Climber and Rescuer – $975.00
This three-day class coincides and interacts with students taking VSS211 & VSS212. Advanced Competent Climber and Rescuer is designed to exceed OSHA training requirements, NATE CTS for Competent Climber/Rescuer and ANSI training standards. This certification course is recommended for crew leaders, site supervisors, safety representatives and tower personal who are required to be certified in competent climber/rescuer. This training provides individuals with the required skills to safely distinguish evaluate and control hazards related to tower work at heights. Course will conclude with a full day of hands on tower training for proper selection of fall protection equipment, correctly rigging a variety of rescue equipment for a range of possibilities and, rescue of a victim considering the probable injuries sustained. 

CERTIFICATION TRAINING

VSS212 or equivalent is required to take VSS313.

Course curriculums are designed to exceed the standards, regulations, and recommendations required of the tower industry who must provide fall protection and rescue training to tower climbers, regardless of their task on the tower. All courses consist of interactive classroom sessions, hands on exercises, and real time on a tower to enhance the learning process. Certification courses are developed to promote safety while climbing and exceed OSHA, ANSI, and NATE Climber Training Standards.

Course materials include comprehensive manuals that are a valuable resource during training and in the field. Student manuals contain over 400 pages of information that each student takes home and can be referenced as needed. Certification courses require successful completion of a written exam and tower maneuver test. All courses are documented with individual student records that include exam results, skill observations, field check list, and class hours. In addition to giving our clients copies of pertinent credentials for an employee’s file, we also maintain all records for 5 years. Upon successful completion of all aspects of training each student is provided with a unique ID number along with wallet photo ID card and certificate of certification. Student participation is required for all courses.

Students taking VSS212 & VSS313 are required to bring their own climbing gear to class, Vertical Safety Solutions provides gear for new and non-experienced climbers. Vertical Safety Solutions firmly believes a climber should be familiar with as much equipment as possible due to the many variances in manufactures style and uses of equipment and tools. A wide variety of different harnesses, connecting devices, and ascend/descending apparatus is available during class that can be tested and used by all students while taking any of the courses offered.

All classes are open enrollment and are held at Vertical Safety Solutions facility in LeRoy, MI unless otherwise noted. Seating is limited to 12 students per class. See our Training Calendar for dates, locations and class availability.

 

Classes Under Development

• Hands-on tilt up tower training
• Tower foundations and erection
• Rigging and working with cranes
• OSHA 10/30/40, Recordkeeping, and Cost of Injury
• New Climber Boot Camp
• Ground crew safety and responsibility
• PPE Inspection Certification

 

GRAVITECH

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Gravitec’s Tower Climber and Rescue Competent Person Refresher Course takes a hands-on approach to keeping tower climbers focused on their safety while working at height. Re-emphasizing the use of a planned approach to working at height, this course begins with a discussion about the changes to the ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code. It also introduces the latest fall protection tools and fall protection methods utilized to protect workers from the various fall hazards encountered at tower sites with an overview of commercially available fall arrest systems. The function of each piece of equipment is discussed followed by extensive hands-on exercises for a complete fall protection learning experience. During the rescue portion of the course, students learn how to use several of the industry’s common rescue devices to include, but not limited to, block and tackle systems and Gravitec’s TR (Tower Rescue) System. Students will have the opportunity to practice their rescue skills with each rescue system in a controlled environment. Their skills are confirmed with several problem-solving scenarios created by the instructor. These exercises are designed to simulate real-world rescue events. Upon completion of the course, students will have had the opportunity to perform a rescue anywhere on a tower using a variety of rescue systems. Written and practical tests are administered to ensure that the principles presented in the course are understood. Documentation is available to satisfy your company’s due diligence and regulatory requirements.

This course meets the Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training (ANSI/ASSE Z490.1), the highest industry standard for training. It also meets the re-training requirements outlined in ANSI/ASSE Z359.2, Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program.

Note: In order to satisfy the ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 requirement for Competent Rescuers (Section 3.3.5.5), workers must have documented tower rescue training annually.

This course is recognized by the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) as meeting or exceeding the requirements of the NATE Fall Protection Training standard. Gravitec can supply all necessary fall protection equipment for this course.

COURSE DURATION

3 Days (24 hours)

The length of this course can be adjusted based on the amount of fall protection equipment used in the student’s workplace.

CLASS SIZE

Minimum 8, Maximum 10 (1 Instructor);

Minimum 14, Maximum 20 (2 Instructors)

PREREQUISITES

Tower Climber and Rescue training from Gravitec no longer than two years prior to enrollment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, students will be capable of using a planned approach to tower climbing and rescue using common techniques and equipment. They will use the majority of commercially available fall protection equipment and capable of identifying fall hazards and selecting, creating and implementing safe and appropriate rescue techniques for workers at height. Students will also be capable of implementing standard tower rescue plans, including protecting rescuers and methods for anchoring, packaging and lowering. They will understand and be capable to effect rescue techniques to plan and implement rescues. Depending on where the course is taught, students will create and implement rescue techniques that are best suited for that particular job site.

This course includes the following content:

• Fundamental Theories and Principles of Fall Protection


• Donning a Full Body Harness


• Anchorage Points: Certified and Non-Certified


• Fall Protection Hardware Compatibility


• Connection Means


• Energy Absorbing Lanyards


• Commercially Available Fall Arrest Systems


• Self-Retracting Lifelines


• Vertical Lifelines


• Horizontal Lifelines


• Ladder Climbing Devices


• Work Positioning Systems


• Selecting and Installing Fall Protection Systems


• Calculating Clearance Requirements


• Basic Rescue Theory


• Pre-Climb Checklists and Rescue Plans


• Rescue Systems Components


• Anchoring the Rescue System


• Descent Control and Secondary Systems


• Connecting to the Patient: Positive Load Transfer


• Lowering the Patient


• Assisted Pulley Rescue (Less than 100′)


• TR Rescue System use and application

 

 

PKMMINC

With the wireless communication industry growing at an ever increasing rate, demand for installation and maintenance of surveillance, UHF/VHF, Microwave, Television, and Communication Towers is also growing. In order to answer this industry need, PKMM  Incorporated provides a 3 day training class (minimum) where successful students are awarded a Certified Competent Climber classification. The class consists of two academic training days followed by a written examination. Upon completion of the exam (with a passing grade), students mobilizes to a 180’ tower, located about an hour’s drive from the classroom in order to complete a practical exercise of what they learned in the classroom. An instructor and assistant ensure that a checklist of all required tasks are safely completed prior to certification. Students who pass the class requirements, receive an ID card and text book. The Tower Climbing certification is for life, but annual refreshers are recommended. The subjects taught in the classroom and tested at the tower include, but are not limited to, the following:

• First Aid

• Hold an on-site safety meeting and conduct risk assessment

• Become familiar with OSHA/NATE safety standards and regulations

• Inspection of climbing gear and tower condition

• Show competence in rigging and knot tying at heights

• Working with tools on the tower

• Maneuver and descend from the tower in a safe, controlled manner

• Perform a buddy and a self rescue on the tower

• Inspect, inventory, and re-pack climbing gear and ropes

• Participate in a post training meeting

PKMM Incorporated provides a 3 day training class where successful students are awarded a Certified Competent Climber classification. The class consists of two academic training days followed by a written examination. Upon completion of the exam, students mobilizes to a 180’ tower, in order to complete a practical exercise of what they learned in the classroom.

Top Tower Climber Certifications

Tower Climbers - Things you didn"t know

Tower climbers rarely get the credit for bravery that firefighters, police officers, and US troops fighting wars do. It takes strength, finesse, guts, and perseverance to climb towers everyday, sometimes 60 hours per week, in every condition known to man. Those who choose the profession aren’t in it for the glory, the recognition, or the fame. Those who become tower climbers get a good salary, but there is a fearlessness that can’t be taught.

There are many things that those outside of the field don’t know about tower climbers.

1) More than just climbing – Tower climbers are responsible for building new towers, from foundation to tip. When towers become obsolete, they tear them down, piece by piece. The time in between erecting and dismantling towers, the climbers tend to all of the maintenance related to the towers. This includes putting on lights, changing the bulbs, painting the towers, running the lines and even scraping the rust. All of these are essential for keeping cell phones, football games, and wi-fi services running at full optimization.

2) There is no off-season – When a tower goes down, they can’t wait until spring to fix it. This means climbing towers at freezing temperatures, in 115 degree heat, and everything in between. When they are climbing a 400 foot tower they can’t just climb down for a cup of coffee or to warm their hands.

3) Its not a 9-5 – Climbers have to work around the operating schedules of broadcasting stations. If a television station goes off the air at two am, they are on the tower shortly after, climbing in the dark. Everything from changing bulbs to repairing wiring is done 1,500 feet up into a moonlit night.

4) Travel may be required – There are companies that employ road crews. These crews travel wherever they are needed. Some never stay in a location for more than a few weeks. Other companies have more centralized locations, but there is often a lot of road time and hotels involved.

5) It’s not just a job – In order to make it as a tower climber, you have to be physically fit and truly want to do the job. Like any job, if it’s not enjoyable, it wont last. This is especially true with a job like this which has such rigorous demands.

6) It’s completely outside – Except for a quick stop in the office, this career path is outside all of the time. Anyone with aversion to the elements should avoid this career.

7) Problem solving is not optional – The crews are often out in the middle of nowhere and each situation is a little different. The blue-prints don’t always go according to plan (no pun intended) and they must be prepared to make it work.

8) Not a one man job – When they climb up with a teammate, if one tower climber completes their job, they don’t just climb down and relax. No man (or woman) is left on the tower. It is the true definition of team.

9) Pay scale – While tower climbers make more than other hourly employees, it is based on experience and skill. Some make $50,000+ per year, but the hours are varied and full. This is why tower climbers can’t just be in it for the paycheck.

10) Need for focus – Most people think of tower climbing as a very dangerous job, while this is true, it is mostly dangerous for those who don’t pay attention. As long as tower climbers aren’t easily distracted, it doesn’t have that dangerous of an occupation.

The misconceptions aside, tower climbers are as fearless as any fireman, and while they don’t save lives, they do keep everyone’s lives running. From Facebook to Twitter to texting to cable, these are made possible by tower climbers.

Tower Climbers - Things you didn"t know

Cell Tower Climbers: Dos and Donts

In 2013 thirteen professional cell tower climbers were killed on the job. Between 2003 and 2011, nearly 100 were killed. Thirteen people doesn’t seem like a whole lot of people compared to some other hazardous jobs, such as loggers or structural steel workers, but there are comparatively few cell tower workers making the rate of fatalities much higher than the numbers seem to reflect. In 2004, there were 10 deaths among approximately 8,700 workers, for a death rate of 115 per 100,000, making professional tower climbing one of the nation’s deadliest professions, ahead of both logging workers and airline pilots, who died on the job at a rate of 92.4 per 100,000 each. Some of these towers are upwards of 1,000 feet high.


If you work, or are considering a job, as a cell tower worker, I say this not to scare you away from the job, but to make you aware of just how hazardous the job can be, especially when proper safety precautions are not observed. Most cell tower workers are employed by small subcontracting companies, not the major cell carriers, and some of these smaller companies try to cut corners on safety. No matter who you work for, there are some things you can do to improve the chances that you will make it home at the end of every day.

Do:

• ALWAYS STAY ALERT!!! All the safety equipment in the world can’t protect you if you aren’t paying attention.


• Make certain you have adequate safety gear, including a full body harness, positioning and shock absorbing lanyards, hard hat or helmet with chin strap, weight rated carabiners in various sizes, and a good tool bag.


• USE your safety equipment, and use it properly. All the safety equipment in the world is no good to you if you leave it in the truck, or if it isn’t secure, or if it isn’t adjusted properly.


• Regularly inspect your safety gear to ensure it is in good working condition. Replace your gear any time it starts to show wear.


• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect your balance and your ability to focus.


• Always have the next safety line in place before detaching the last one.


• Know exactly where you are. In an emergency, you need to be able to give responders your exact location, street and address, and directions to get to you.


• Climb with your legs, not your arms. Use your leg muscles to propel you up and your arms for balance. If your arms are tired before you even get to the top, it will be hard to use your tools effectively.

Don’t:

Get in a hurry. When you start to rush, you start to get careless. Take your time, it’s nice to get home early, but going home alive is much more important.

Work alone. Should you get into trouble, you may not be able to call for help.

Climb when tired. It’s difficult to pay attention and stay alert if you’re not well-rested.

Climb if you hear thunder. Where there is thunder, there is lightning, and if you’re in a tower, you’re a target. If you’re already in the tower when you hear thunder, climb down and wait for the storm to pass. Also avoid climbing in high winds.

Throw tools or other items off the tower. Does this really need an explanation?

Allow visitors or onlookers. You don’t need the distraction, so for your safety and theirs, don’t let people hang around the tower while you’re working.

Alter your harness or other safety equipment in any way. Punching extra holes in straps or making other alterations not intended by the manufacturer can weaken the material, making it less able to protect you. If your equipment doesn’t fit properly, you need new equipment.

Use drugs or climb if you’ve been drinking. It’s sad that this even needs to be said, but seriously, keep it sober and clean. Not only will drugs or alcohol impair your judgment, but worker’s compensation will not pay if you have anything in your system.

If you find yourself working for a company that doesn’t observe safe practices, you might want to consider finding a different job. Until then, you may have to take matters into your own hands. Just remember, if you are injured or killed on the job, it’s your family that suffers, not your company. They will hire someone to take your place and keep going like nothing happened. Your family can’t replace you that easily.

Ultimately, most of the fatalities in cell tower climbers can be traced back to inadequate or poorly maintained safety equipment and/or a worker neglecting basic safety protocols. If you stay alert, keep your safety gear in good working order and use it properly, you will be far more likely to make it home at the end of the day. Stay aware, stay safe, stay alive.

Cell Tower Climbers: Dos and Donts

OSHA and Tower Climbing industry

The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and Tower Climbing industry has had a tenuous relationship right from the start.

With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor. The administrator for OSHA is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. OSHA’s administrator answers to the Secretary of Labor, who is a member of the cabinet of the President of the United States.

OSHA policies are for every employee as follows:

• You have the right to a safe workplace.


• OSH Act was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work.


• The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers.


• The Act sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.


• OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers and employers.


• Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards.


• If you have a question about your rights or a workplace hazard and you cannot find the information you need on OSHA’s website, contact us.


• OSHA WILL KEEP YOUR INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL. WE ARE HERE TO HELP.



On the other hand, for the past two decades there is the proliferation of Tower Climber industry. Tower Climbers are a specialized group of trained and skilled workers. (www.towerclimber.com) Nearly 10,000 men and women work mostly in the wireless communication business operated by major carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.


Due to the massive rise of cell phone wireless and digital use, this career has been called the most dangerous job in the United States. There has been a steady rise in deaths of tower climbers. And the number is increasing.




Many see OSHA and major communication carriers as the main culprit. None of the carriers have been held responsible for fatalities. The major carriers have passed the responsibility on to subcontractors.




The bottom line is that in spite of OSHA being a government regulatory agency of the US federal government, little has been done to improve the health and safety of tower climbers. There is a lack of enforcement and no solutions that improve the occupational hazards that exist.




Despite the overabundance of media coverage, little progress has been made. However, there are tower climber families who are involved in lawsuits against major carriers. Other than that, there has been mostly passing the buck than anything else. While there has been a plethora of suggestions made, nothing has turned into any type of accountability from major carriers who continually evade regulations and enforcement.




In the meantime, independent tower climber contractors and employees continue to be at risk. For now, the system is broken.




In Memoriam

The latest Tower Climber death.
https://www.osha.gov/doc/topics/communicationtower/index.html



OSHA and Tower Climbing industry

Tower Climbing Staffing

Not everyone has the skills and steadfastness to be a tower climber, but for those who are drawn by the salary and adrenaline, tower climbing staffing agencies can be a great way to get a foot in the door.

The official title these jobs are listed will be Radio Frequency Tower Climber, Radio Tower Climber or simply Tower Climber. These jobs are available throughout the United States and all over the world. It helps if applicants have experience or a degree in a field related to mechanics or any sort of electrical field. Staffing agencies also look for people who have experience in sales, operations, sales management, and ownership of service or product related industries.

The salary of these positions greatly depends on the demand and location someone is working in. It is not a safe assumption that larger companies necessarily pay more. Most staffing agencies work with hundreds of non-profit, business, advertising, and marketing firms. Some of the positions are short-term and others are long-term which may develop into permanent positions.

Several responsibilities fall on the shoulders of tower climbers. It is more than just climbing, snipping a wire and climbing back down. This list includes:

• Overseeing the daily operation at sites.


• Filling out the required paperwork for sites and crew.


• Ensuring the quality and safety requirements are met for both the job and crew.


• Compiling all the lockout documentation.


• Following the detailed instructions provided by the Project Manager.


• Maintaining equipment and vehicles.

It is also important to have good people skills in order to maintain relationships with co-workers and customer service representatives, as well as to properly coordinate all prospective areas within these groups. Strong leadership skills are important to train new employees but, it is also important to listen to the details and instructions of others who are more knowledgeable.

Some companies differ on what requirements they want a candidate to already possess and what they are willing to train for. In general though, candidates should meet the following requirements:

• High school diploma or GED


• PIM Testing.


• Ability to interface with BTS Equipment


• Sweep testing.


• The candidate should have knowledge of all antenna systems equipment including cable, connectors, TMA’s, antenna, grounding, weather-proofing and all of the associated hardware.


• A willingness to work any shift and overtime.


• CPR and safety training.


• Ability to read, write, and speak in English.


• Authorized to work in the respective country.


• Willing to travel if necessary.

Working in this field can be demanding and the margin for error is nil. Companies look for only the best of the best candidates in a variety of fields. Many companies offer classes in safe climbing and emergency rescue to ensure that their climbers are prepared for the best and the worst case scenarios.

Some of the companies that staff in this field are listed below. Be sure to check with the companies in your area to find what specific requirements they need.

US Electrical staffing- http://uselectricalstaffing.com/

Skyhawk- http://skyhawk.net/

Telecom Staffing Services- https://www.smartrecruiters.com/

and Wireless Estimator- http://www.wirelessestimator.com/

Tower Climbing Staffing

The Deadliest Job in the United States

The rapid adoption of mobile communication devices, and the seemingly endless functions they serve, is unprecedented. No other form of technology has grown so rapidly, or become so deeply entrenched in the everyday lives of its users.

But the technology that consumers use for mobile communication and computing is only a small part of the story, because for mobile communication to be truly mobile has required the creation of a global infrastructure to provide a nearly constant and reliable wireless connection to users via a telecommunications network. Consumers marvel at the technological advances in mobile devices, but the invention, refinement, and expansion of the modern cellular network is the far greater achievement. Costing billions of dollars to create, and hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain, the modern mobile cellular network is a technological marvel.

But some of the costs remain hidden.

The first commercially available mobile cell phone—the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x—offered only one phone line, was capable of storing only 30 telephone numbers for rapid redial, and had an LED display capable of showing nothing more than the phone number being dialed (Wikipedia) Today’s smart phones, on the other hand, allow the user to access the World Wide Web via the Internet; watch movies and television programs made available by streaming service providers; videoconference with multiple participants; determine their precise geographic location; capture and send high resolution video and still images; and, of course, talk, text, and tweet. Moreover, today’s cellular networks connect users’ telephones, tablets, computers, and automobiles; not to mention wristwatches, fitness trackers and other “wearables”.

As users of mobile communications technology have increased in number, so has network coverage. In 1985, there were 900 towers in the United States (Cell tower statistics), providing cellular telephone service to 340,213 subscribers (NationMaster). As of late 2013, there were an estimated 190,000 cellular towers in the United States (Cell tower statistics).; and today, there are 345.2 million (mobiThinking) mobile cellular subscriptions in the United States alone. It has been reported that the number of cellular subscriptions worldwide will exceed the global population sometime this year (SiliconIndia).

Of course, some of those numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. The precise number of individual cell towers and antennas is difficult to determine, since service providers are frequently tempted to inflate the number of sites in their network to appear more attractive to potential subscribers.

Oftentimes publicized “towers” turned into raw land opportunities, structures that were owned by another company or towers that were in development – a discreet way of affirming it could be a year or two before they’re available, and possibly never (wirelessestimator.com).

Nonetheless, the growth of network coverage is unquestionable. First only available in major metropolitan areas, cellular service is now widespread across the United States, with more cell sites added each day to meet the ever-increasing demand of the growing consumer base. Not since the construction of the transcontinental railroad system have private enterprises invested so much in the development of national infrastructure.

All the more surprising, then, that the actual construction and maintenance of the towers that make up the cellular communications networks in the United States is left to a relatively small number of independent contractors; and an even smaller number of overworked and underpaid subcontracted technicians. Major cellular service providers in the U.S. typically hire management firms to oversee the construction and upkeep of their cell sites. These firms, in turn, hire tower construction companies for the on-site work.

Cell carriers give several reasons for why they outsource tower work: Building and maintaining towers, though crucial to cell service, isn’t part of their core business. Contractors have greater expertise with construction. It’s more economical to hire workers where and when needed, given the up-and-down volume of work (ProPublica).

But the industry practice of outsourcing tower construction and maintenance to smaller independent, and inadequately regulated private contractors also shields the major cell carriers from legal liability in the event that a tower technician suffers a workplace accident.

OSHA has the authority to cite carriers if it can prove they had direct control over work or knew of safety violations. Yet, even though some carriers set prices and timetables for tower jobs – and many of their technical specifications, down to how to color code coaxial cables – their supervisors typically stay off-site and do not manage jobs directly (ProPublica).

Tower climbers—or “tower dogs”, as they sometimes refer to themselves—climb cellular communications towers up to 500 feet tall—often in difficult weather conditions—building, upgrading, or conducting routine maintenance on the towers and antennas in the nation’s cellular networks. Although a few private companies offer tower climber certification courses for a fee, the job requires little formal education. Many tower climbers work on a temporary contract basis, and what little training they receive is on-the-job. Their hours are long, and their risks are high. In fact, it is precisely because of the risky nature of tower climbing that the occupation attracts a very specific personality.

Climbers live out of motel rooms, installing antennas in Oklahoma one day, building a tower in Tennessee the next. The work attracts risk-takers and rebels. Of the 33 tower fatalities for which autopsy records were available, 10 showed climbers had drugs or alcohol in their systems.

“It’s the wild, wild west of the technology industry,” said Victor Guerrero, a construction project manager and former climber. “You’ve got to have a problem to hang 150 feet in the air on an 8-inch strap. You’ve got to be insane.” (ProPublica)

Combining that personality type with the high-stress demands of a rapidly growing cellular communications infrastructure was a recipe for disaster.

In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone, one of the first smartphones to be widely adopted in the United States. In a controversial decision, Apple designed the iPhone to function only on AT&T’s 2nd generation mobile cellular network. Though the move frustrated many potential buyers, it had little effect on the iPhone’s sales. Even before the day of the iPhone’s release, media outlets reported customers lining up outside Apple’s retail stores to be the first adopters of the new technology. Apple reported sales of 270,000 units in the first 30 hours of the iPhone’s release.

The following year, Apple introduced the second generation iPhone 3G, and reported sales of 1 million units in the first weekend.

In response to the iPhone 3G’s phenomenal commercial success—and to meet future demand—AT&T had to scramble to extend the coverage of their third generation cellular network.

In 2006, Verizon Wireless had 7.7 million new subscriber additions compared to AT&T’s 7.1 million. After the iPhone launched, AT&T outpaced Verizon in net subscribers adds for the next three years, according to FCC figures. By 2009, AT&T had 8.1 million new adds while Verizon had 5.9 million (gigaom.com)

The rapid expansion of AT&T’s 3G network, however, may have directly contributed to the spike in tower climber fatalities in 2008 that led Edwin Foulke of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to declare the occupation “the deadliest job in the United States.” (OSHA) Rushing to complete their work, with minimal oversight and inadequate fall protection, eleven tower climbers fell to their deaths while working at AT&T sites—more than the number of fatalities at all other providers’ cellular sites combined.

In all, eighteen cellular tower technicians fell to their deaths in 2008; and, although that number may seem small compared to the number of fatalities in other professions (Aircraft pilots: 101 fatalities; farmers and ranchers: 291; truck drivers: 940), the number of tower climbers in the U.S. was thought to be between 8695 and 9800 at that time—a number so small that neither OSHA nor the Bureau of Labor Statistics had ever bothered to include the occupation in their annual list of most dangerous jobs.

OSHA and the BLS base their analysis of industry fatality rates on the number of deaths per 100,000 workers. Applying that methodology to the 18 deaths suffered by tower climbers in 2008, authors of a joint investigation by ProPublica and PBS’s “Frontline” found that the “death rate” of cellular tower technicians was significantly higher than all other professions on the list (wirelessestimator.com; ProPublica). In 2013, following another spike in tower worker deaths, Dr. David Michaels of OSHA declared that “tower workers have a risk of fatal injury perhaps 25 to 30 times higher than the risk for the average American worker.” (OSHA)

OSHA held the subcontracted construction and maintenance firms responsible for each of the cellular tower deaths investigated by ProPublica and “Frontline”. Fines levied by OSHA ranged from $50,400 to $450, although many construction firms reach formal settlements with the government, and avoid paying any fines at all. Those firms that do pay significant fines for failing to meet appropriate safety standards frequently go out of business, rarely compensating the workers who have suffered injuries while employed at their sites, or the families of those who have died. Jay Guilford, a tower climber who fell to his death in 2008,

Left behind a fiancée, Bridget Pierce, and two young children, Emily, now 7, and Aidan, now 5. Under policies provided by Phoenix of Tennessee, Pierce received $200,000 in life insurance, but was denied worker’s compensation because an autopsy showed Guilford had recently smoked marijuana. Lawyers advised Pierce not to sue because of the drugs (ProPublica).

Over 100 tower climbers have fallen to their deaths since 2006, with over half of these fatalities occurring at cellular communications sites. In 2013, more tower climbers died than in the previous two years combined. As of today, no major cellular service provider has been fined or successfully sued following the injury or death of a climber. In 2006, AT&T was named in a wrongful death suit following the fatality of William Cotton, but settled the case for an undisclosed sum without admitting wrongdoing. When the plaintiff in the case attempted to appeal the settlement, AT&T threatened to sue him, the appeal was dropped. AT&T was removed from the list of defendants (PBS)

Over the same period of time, AT&T’s worldwide operating revenue has grown from $62.52 billion to $127.75 billion.

The Deadliest Job in the United States

4 Things A Good Tower Climber Never Forgets

Climbing communications towers that are hundreds and sometimes thousands of feet in the air, is a very dangerous job! Most towers have no mechanical lifts, so getting to the desired height means scaling rungs hand-over-hand, usually while wearing bulky safety gear and carrying an equipment bag.

While the risk of falling is great, the freedom is greater. The Following are the 4 Things A Good Tower Climber Never Forgets

#1: A Proper Climb Plan

Working on a tower involves coordinating and planning with numerous parties even before stepping up on the first rung. 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.

During the planning process, consider the following:

• Do you have the appropriate work permits?


• Do the carriers know the day(s) and time(s) of day that installers will be on the tower?


• 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?

A proper climb plan ensures that everyone is informed and that the work can be conducted on the tower safe and effectively.

#2: Observing 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 observing the proper warning signage, climbers receive a clear, bold message that they are entering a hazardous zone. If communications towers lack such signage, climbing them should be avoided until the RF conditions at that site can be verified by both the occupying carriers and the tower owners.

#3: Keeping Climbing Safety Gear in Good Repair and Within Allowable Dates-of-Use

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 at a critical time.

Don’t take unnecessary chances if any safety gear has an allowable date-of-use that has expired, do not attempt to use that gear beyond that date.

#4: Climbing With Inadequate Safety and Protection Gear

Weather and hazardous conditions that exist high up on a tower are not always evident on the ground. Experienced climbers recognize that before attempting to scale a tower, they must be fully suited with a helmet, safety glasses, gloves, jackets, pants, boots, as well as outfitted with a safety harness, lifeline, carabineers, lanyards, rope grabs, and tool belts.

Taking shortcuts is never a good idea. The investment in all the necessary equipment and gear will pay off the first time it’s needed several hundred feet in the air.

These safety measures are not just ideas or suggestions. They are essential in every good climbers climb to avoid hazards and to follow sound, accepted tower climbing techniques.

Our life depends on them.

4 Things A Good Tower Climber Never Forgets

Life of a Tower Climber

When people hear that you’re a tower climber, there are usually two things that that job description brings to mind. The first is, “Wow, you must be a serious daredevil.” The second is, “And you must make some serious cash.” Anyone who’s worked as a tower climber on cellular towers can attest to the prevalence of these reactions.

“I think…the part where you tell people what you do for a living and the awestruck looks on their faces sometimes,” an experienced tower climber in the Pacific Northwest told an interviewer for Jobsearcher.com when he was asked what he would say is the most rewarding aspect of his job.

While there’s no question that tower climbers tend to be male and they obviously can’t be easily intimidated by precarious situations, the matter of compensation can be a bit of a tricky one, and there are a lot of other qualities that come into play in this job. Climbing a tower that can range anywhere from 200′ to 1500′ in the air is clearly an exhilarating experience that most thrill seekers would gladly welcome, but it’s important to remember that these workers are not up there simply to enjoy the view.

Cell tower climbers need to have a strong handle on how both electrical and computer systems work, since a good part of what they do is to inspect and repair these systems. Although there are times when they’ll be up there for something relatively easy, like changing out a light bulb, just as often they will be required at the top of the tower to fix a faulty part or to ensure that everything is in proper working order up there. Changing out things like feed lines or a bad antennae might be called for and there are other times when you’ll be involved in the actual construction of the tower, in its final stages. This means that these workers need to have not only a lot of range in their skills set, they also need to have very good eye-hand coordination to boot.

Meanwhile, it might seem obvious, but climbing almost a quarter of a mile into the sky does have a tendency to make the average person just a tad jumpy, if not straight terrified. It’s not uncommon for new people to come into the work thinking that they have no fear of heights, only to discover that they do have an intense fear of extreme heights. The climber in the Northwest has given that some thought.

“…we’ve had people come to work here saying that they’re mountain climbers, they’re not scared of heights or anything, and they don’t last a day because they can’t do it. I don’t know if it’s just being out in the open because when you climb a mountain you have a big wall in front of you so you can’t see nothing else (sic), but when you climb a tower, ninety percent of the time you can see right through it,” he told Jobshadow.

As for the great pay that everyone assumes comes with such a risky job, tower climbers will be the first to tell you that they do usually get paid fairly well, but they also point out that there are extra costs associated with this career that most people don’t think of. Take into consideration, for example, the price of life insurance when you have a job where a momentary lapse in judgment or a minor equipment flaw could kill you. In fact, as experienced tower climbers will tell you, this is one job where the health insurance premiums are low, but the life insurance premiums are high. That’s because if you fall, there’s little chance that there will be enough of you to fill a hospital bed, let alone provide hope for a recovery. One tower climber estimated that he spent almost a third of his income on his life insurance policy, although he admitted that he did have a large benefit because he felt that the risk of his family having to cash it in was so great.

The money itself can vary by what region you’re working in and a big factor in your salary will be your experience as a climber. There’s a lot of growth in this field and there is plenty of room for advancement, particularly if you are comfortable with computers and what it takes to keep them running smoothly.

Tower climbers are also usually expected travel to jobs that may take them anywhere from a few counties away to a few states away. There are benefits to the travel, of course. You do get to see the world on someone else’s dime and you get paid while you do it. But for those who have a family or other obligations at home, the constant travel can really start to wear thin after awhile.

Consider too that winter days that high up can be painfully cold. There’s normally nothing up there to break the wind, so you really are at the mercy of the elements. Some days, depending on where you work, it will simply be too cold to go up at all. Thunderstorms are also an obvious no-go for cell tower climbers, so you can at least count on having those days off, though you don’t usually get paid for work unless you’re actually there.

Tower climbing is by no means an easy job and it’s often downright uncomfortable. Those with a weak constitution definitely need not apply. And while the money may be good, the risk to life and limb is through the roof. In fact, there are plenty of arguments for why a person shouldn’t sign on to do this gig. Some might even say that those who do this job every day must be at least a little bit crazy. But a tower climber who loves the job, and there are plenty of them out there, can always come back with one simple and sincere reply: “Yeah, but check out the view.”

Life of a Tower Climber

ComTrain – Certified Tower Climbing Safety

Tower climbing is regularly recognized by various governing bodies, companies, and individuals, as one of the most dangerous occupations that a human can have. Although the work that tower climbers do is essential to the maintenance of our communication systems around the world, the job is certainly not without its risks. For example, in the year of 2014 alone, there have been six tower climber-related deaths in the United States of America. The latest two were on March 25th, in Blane, Kansas, due to the falling of a structure.

All of those people within the tower climbing industry – whether tower climber themselves, or employers of tower climbers – want to ensure that the number of deaths from tower climbing related activities can be completely brought down to zero. It is simply not acceptable that the average death rate for tower climbers is higher than any other job within the construction or building industry. This is why there is such a heavy emphasis on training and safety awareness within the companies that utilize tower climbers to help them maintain their assets.


There are two main aspects to safety when it comes to tower climbing: equipment, and knowledge. There are many different kinds of safety apparatus that it is imperative that all tower climbers carry with them at all times. For example, it is vital that a tower climber has a torch and a first aid kit, as well as a two way radio. However, they will also need a good solid harness, recommended by a safety company, as well as a rescue kit that can be used for another climber, as well as the individual carrying it. Obviously, the actual clothes that a tower climber wears are just as important as the safety equipment that they carry. A tower climber will need to wear strong and sturdy boots, and have gloves with grip patches on them. Without all of these basic safety pieces of gear, it is impossible for a tower climber to climb secure in the knowledge that he or she will definitely be able to come down in one piece.

The knowledge aspect of tower climbing is very important. ComTrain is a company that has, since the year 1996, been training tower climbers with all of the vital information that they will need to make a successful and safe climb. They also offer training courses on fall protection, and rescue training, so that if one member of a tower climbing team is injured or stuck somewhere, the rest of his or her team can rescue them. Other courses include training on hazard assessment, fixed ladder usage, and mandated safety meetings. ComTrain has offered its training to over 45,000 individuals through many different private companies and public government organizations over the years, and there are branches of ComTrain throughout the United States of America.

ComTrain’s training is internationally recognised as one of the best, and is therefore an official training provider for companies such as American Tower, Bechtel, and Union Pacific Railroad. In fact, there are many companies that employ tower climbers that will refuse to hire anyone that has not received their training from ComTrain. For a tower climber to be certified by ANSI/ASSES and OSHA, they have to be trained through a ComTrain course.

If you are an aspiring tower climber, do not even consider applying for jobs before you have seriously thought about the training courses that you will require. Without them, you will be a danger to yourself and everyone else on site, so it is for everyone’s benefit that each individual gets trained – and the best people in the business are ComTrain.

ComTrain – Certified Tower Climbing Safety

Tower Climbing Deaths

Cell phones are our era’s ubiquitous technology device. There are more active cell phones in the U.S. than actual people. For the first time, PBS investigation has revealed the number of fatalities at subcontractors working on each of the carrier’s networks: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobil, Verizon (Day, 2012).

AT&T was racing to spin out a new cell phone network to deliver music, video and online games at more rapid speeds. The network, known as 3G, was crucial to the AT&T’s fortunes. AT&T’s cell service had been criticized by customers for its propensity to drop calls, a problem compounded when the company converted to the sole carrier for the iPhone (Day, 2012).

Tower climbing, an obscure field with no more than 10,000 workers, has a mortality rate roughly 10 times that of construction. In the last nine years, alone, nearly 100 tower climbers have been killed on the job. Alarmingly, more than half of them were working on cell sites. An investigation led by ProPublica and PBS “Frontline” shows that the convenience of mobile phones has come at a hefty price: Between 2003 and 2011, 50 climbers died working on cell sites, more than half of the nearly 100 who were killed on communications towers (Day, 2012).


Cell phone carriers’ outsource this dangerous tower climber jobs to subcontractors, a practice increasingly common in risky businesses from coal mining to trucking to nuclear waste removal. Due to this aspect, cell phone carriers’ connection to tower climbing deaths has remained invisible. In the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s database of workplace accident investigations, you will not find a single tower climber fatality listed (Day, 2012).

“For each tower-related fatality since 2003, ProPublica and PBS “Frontline” traced the contracting chain from bottom to top, reviewing thousands of pages of government records and interviewing climbers, industry executives, and labor experts” (Day, 2012). In accident after accident, deadly missteps often resulted because climbers were shoddily equipped or received little training before being sent up hundreds of feet. To make matters worse, to satisfy demands from carriers or large contractors, tower hands sometimes worked overnight or in dangerous conditions (Day, 2012).

PBS reporting revealed that AT&T had more fatalities on its jobs than its three closest competitors combined. The death toll peaked between 2006 and 2008, as AT&T merged its network with Cingular’s and scrambled to grasp traffic achieved by the iPhone. “I don’t think there’s any question that the pressure to build out the network has been a contributing factor to fatalities,” said Steve Watts, who worked as a risk manager at AT&T until 2007. All other major cell carriers would not comment and declined requests to be interviewed for this story.

ProPublica Research

Nashville-based Phoenix of Tennessee, the parent company of All Around Towers, the subcontractor that had managed the climbing crew is the only OSHA cited company for safety violations. Inspectors concluded that Phoenix of Tennessee had not evacuated broken equipment from the site or addressed unsafe work conditions in plain view. The company had to pay a fine of $2,500. All Around Towers went out of business following the accident (Day, 2012).

Kyle Waites, the owner of Phoenix of Tennessee and part-owner of All Around Towers, said he sent climbers for re-training and purchased new safety equipment after the death of Jay Guilford. “Do I feel responsible to a degree? I think everybody does that was involved with it,” Waites said. “What caused Jay’s death was a chain of events that all could have, and should have, been prevented” (Day, 2012). “Once you leave men alone, the men have to police themselves,” he said (Day, 2012).

Until the 1990s, most tower work convoluted radio and television towers, which can be more than 1,000 feet high. Some phone companies employed staff climbers to endeavor on microwave towers used for long-distance calling. However, with the proliferation of cell phones, the pace and volume of tower work spiked. Carriers blanketed the country with cell locations to extend service to the most remote areas. Many advances in service require converting out antennas and doing other upgrades. The surge of cell phone work, forever altered tower climbing; an obscure field of with no more than 10,000 workers. It attracted newcomers, including outfits known within the organization as “two guys and a rope.” It also exacerbated the businesses transient, high-flying culture (Day, 2012).

Climbers live out of motel rooms, inaugurating antennas in Oklahoma one day and building a tower in Tennessee the next day. Climbers typically earn $10 or $11 an hour. The job seems to attract risk-takers and rebels. Of the 33 tower fatalities for which autopsy records were accessible, 10 showed climbers had drugs or alcohol in their systems. An analysis of OSHA records demonstrates that tower climbing has had a death rate roughly 10 times that of construction. In two dozen cases, for example, inspectors found that workers on sites where fatalities occurred had acquired inadequate training. Faulty or misused equipment was responsible in almost one-third of the tower-related deaths since 2003. Carriers sometimes power down cell sites when climbers are on them, so subcontractors often work overnight, which increases the risk of injury (Day, 2012).

Time pressure often leads tower hands to use a technique called free-climbing, in which workers don’t attach their safety harnesses to the tower. This allows them to move up, down and around more quickly, but leaves them without fall insurance. In more than half of the tower fatalities examined, workers were, in fact, free-climbing, even though government safety regulations strictly forbid it. It is very appealing and most climbers eventually give in to it (Day, 2012).

Cell carriers give several reasons for why they outsource their tower work: Building and maintaining towers, though crucial to cell service, isn’t part of their core business, is one. Contractors have greater expertise with construction and it’s more economical to hire workers where and when needed, given the up-and-down volume of work. Handling tower work this way also insulates companies atop the contracting chain from legal and regulatory consequences when there are accidents (Day, 2012).

Tower-climbing fatalities have decreased considerably since the end of 2008. Some in the industry give credit to improved safety practices to explain the smaller death toll. Others say the recession has cut into the volume of tower work and that, after finishing 3G upgrades, much of what carriers required could be done on the ground. With the next big push i.e. building out 4G LTE networks, just getting underway in major markets, some veteran climbers continue to worry that the fatality numbers will rise again (Day, 2012).

Reference:

Day, Knutson, PBS Frontline, and ProPublica. (2012). In race for better cell service, men who climb towers pay with their lives. Retrieved from: http://www.propublica.org/article/cell-tower-fatalities

Tower Climbing Deaths