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05/01/2003
Safety & Education Committee Update
I believe we can all agree that in today's world "change" is constant. A few years ago tower crews were focused on erecting new structures and getting new systems on the air. Today we are focused on co-locations, tower modifications, antenna system changes and maintenance. Each time the focus of our work changes, we must also change our focus on safety. Different work scenarios require different safety precautions.
In the past the "common" tower site was new. We built the sites and obviously they were the first ones there. Today's common occurrence is to go to a site where others have preceded you; therefore, your site hazard assessment will need revision(s). Your assessment on the normal and obvious hazards expected with the structure and its associated apparatus will be very similar to a new site.
The unexpected and not so obvious hazards can be directly related to a predecessor that performed poor quality work. If previous workers have taken shortcuts, that will leave the next climber at risk. This poor quality work can even create possible hazards for the general public.
Almost every time we go to a site that is new for us, we find something that shouldn't be the way it is. We recently went to a site to check an antenna system problem for a regular customer. The antenna system was installed by others when they were in the process of replacing the tower. We found a tower top pre-amp (a stainless steel box weighing about 50 lbs) that was attached to a tower brace with two cheap quick-clips. It was swinging in the breeze along with the coax that was attached to it. This irregular installation could have allowed the pre-amp to come to the ground with devastating results.
We found a paint can (with paint inside) hung on a climbing step bolt. The handle was taped to the step bolt but it was almost broken off from the can. The handle did break as it was being removed. There were lots of possibilities for this one!
We have found empty glass Gatorade bottles left laying on an elevated platform. The platform was on a large self-supporting tower in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. The tower sits in the center of the TV station's studio which was built around the tower. Just think about the accident possibilities to the next climber and/or the general public.
Please do not assume anything. Check the structures as you climb. If you find trash left by others, remove it. If you find items that are mounted in an unsafe manner, notify the proper person. If it is an immediate hazard, find a remedy. Fix it.
John Cipov is a member of the NATE Safety & Education Committee and is Vice President of Cipov Enterprises, Inc. of Sumter, South Carolina. He can be reached at
800-768-8833 or jwcipov@ftc-i.net
John Cipov
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