2022 Guide for Powered Ascender Use of Antenna Supporting Structures

2022 Guide for Powered Ascender Use of Antenna Supporting Structures

Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC)

2022 Guide For Powered Ascender Use On Antenna Supporting Structures (semc)This telecommunications industry consensus document is intended to address the use of Powered Ascenders in conjunction with a fixed synthetic rope for personnel ascending, descending and work positioning on telecommunications structures. There is not a recognized standard in the United States applicable for the use of Powered Ascenders utilizing synthetic rope; the only relevant reference material available is the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. As a proactive approach to the safe use of Powered Ascenders in the industry, this document was created to provide guidance for the use of Powered Ascenders on telecom structures regardless of Powered Ascender manufacturer or design type.

Recent advances in technology have made Powered Ascenders a more prevalent and viable tool for access to work at height. These devices benefit the industry by reducing worker fatigue, increasing efficiency, productivity, and reducing injury potential from repetitive motion injuries, thus increasing worker longevity.

This document is intended to address Powered Ascenders on a fixed synthetic rope, where the Powered Ascender moves along the rope. It will not address the configurations of the Powered Ascender being anchored and the rope moving, or the use of a Powered Ascender to hoist materials. This consensus document is only intended to apply to antenna supporting structures that are governed by the ANSI/TIA-222 Standard, as adopted by the International Building Code (IBC) and other jurisdictional building codes.

2022 NATE SEMC Guide for Powered Ascender Use of Antenna Supporting Structures