Safety in the tower industry is always a topic of the highest priority and concern. The challenges workers face are exclusive to the at-height environment in which these climbers perform their daily activities. There were seven tower related fatalities in 2016. Deaths and injuries related to the construction and maintenance of communication towers has been on the rise and the industry is looking for answers on how to turn that trend around.
The construction and maintenance of towers is highly specialized work involving exposure to several hazards while at height. According to a publication released by OSHA in 2015 (Communication Tower Safety, Fed Register #: 80:20185-20189, 4/15/2015), “During the performance of work activities involving communication towers, workers are exposed to a variety of serious hazards, including fall hazards, hazards associated with structural collapses, hazards associated with worker fatigue, radio frequency hazards, hazards associated with inclement weather (including extreme heat and cold), electrical hazards, and cut and laceration hazards due to the use of sharp, heavy tools and materials.”
This work also involves a highly complex structure of business relationships. Many communication towers are owned by individual tower companies. These tower companies lease space on the towers to wireless carriers. Carriers then contract large-scale installations and upgrades through Turfing vendors who are essentially construction management companies for the carriers. The Turfing vendors then hire specialized contractors to perform the project who, in turn, can often sub-contract the work out to other companies. It is not uncommon for several subcontractors to be working on the same project. This hierarchy poses a unique set of challenges in setting and enforcing safety regulations within the industry.
Many in the industry agree that it is important to build a culture of safety from the top down. All stakeholders share a responsibility to promote improvements in equipment and training and help prevent future incidents. Tower designers, owners, carriers, mount designers, equipment manufacturers, and contractors all play a part in building an industry built on stringent safety standards and minimal tragedy.
Industry Groups like the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) are working closely with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide new safety standards within the industry. New ANSI/ASSE Fall Protection standards have recently been published and released. According to the NATE website, the ANSI/ASSE Z359.5 – 2017 Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program establishes criteria and requirements for an employer’s fall protection program including policies, duties and responsibilities, survey and identification of fall hazards, fall protection procedures, rescue procedures, program implementation and more. NATE also promotes safety and education within the industry by providing resources such as the Climber Connection and as many as 150 education sessions nationwide providing training and certification to climbers.
Manufacturers and distributors such as Perfect 10 Wireless also recognize the importance of promoting a culture of safety within the industry. Perfect 10 designs and engineers climber-focused product lines like the L.I.F.E Mounts, which offer safety innovations unique in the industry. The company says the device is built for longevity, with a fall-safe design and engineered for quick assembly. “It’s safer for the installer.” L.I.F.E Mounts provide the industry’s first SAFE tie off point on a mount. Key features include an easily accessible and easily identifiable 10K Tie-Off Point with a max user weight of 310 lbs. and a working load of 2000 lbs. They are the first mounts in the industry with a fall safe design and can be integrated into part of the total fall protection plan for every climber. The L.I.F.E Mounts are designed with a zero weld spade and structural welded gussets on the standoff eliminating the need for redundant bracing. This reduces the footprint on the tower, lowers cost to the operator and helps keep the climbing path clear. Perfect 10 Wireless also carries a line of safety gear and test equipment.
Perfect10 Wireless is both a distributor and manufacturer and carries products such as cable snap-in’s, hose clamps, zip ties, sector frames and monopole mounts, cable ladders and ice bridges for antenna mounting solutions and cable routing. From its six warehouses nationwide Perfect 10 delivers to about 90 percent of the country in one day. Visit www.p10wireless.com to download the latest catalog.
April 11, 2017
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