NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today officially released the 2024 Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) Quick Rigging Connector Testing Report.
Over the years, incidents, fatalities, and confusion surrounding the use of carabiners in the telecom industry have raised significant safety concerns. To address this, the NATE OSHA Relations Committee conducted a survey among NATE members to assess current practices and product usage. The survey revealed that material handling carabiners are widely used across the industry, with over 75% of respondents reporting usage; primarily for gross loads under 500 lbs.
To clarify the distinction between carabiners designed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per ANSI/ASSP Z359, for dropped objects per ANSI/ISEA 121, and those intended for material handling; this paper will refer to connectors designated for material handling as Quick Rigging Connectors (QRCs).
The Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) collaborated with industry stakeholders to identify the most used QRCs. Four manufacturers were selected, offering steel QRCs in various sizes, construction types, and styles.
The Quick Rigging Connector testing event was conducted at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) over three days with 15 different scenarios and over 100 individual tests completed. The testing utilized new and used equipment, utilizing a calibrated electro-mechanical screw-driven frame to ensure accuracy and repeatability. All QRCs underwent testing and were certified by their manufacturers for material-handling applications. The SEMC established a target working load limit of 500 lbs. with a 5:1 safety factor.
“On behalf of the SEMC, we are excited to release this 30-page white paper detailing the performance results and key takeaways from the testing of Quick Rigging Connectors,” said SEMC Chairman Jeremy Buckles from SBA Communications Corporation. “The testing aims to provide valuable insights to NATE members, industry stakeholders, end users, and manufacturers. The results are intended to enhance safety standards, raise awareness, and influence future testing methodologies,” added Buckles.
The SEMC would like to acknowledge NATE for their dedication to the safety of the men and women who make wireless communication possible. Without their leadership, support, and vision, this Quick Rigging Connector testing would not have been possible. We would also like to thank the following organizations and each participant from these organizations for their support:
American Tower Corporation
Crown Castle
Deuer Development
Fullwave Tower & Broadcast
GME Supply Co
Harken
Infrastructure Engineering Consultants, PC
Lee Antenna & Line Service, Inc.
MILLERCO
NATE Climber Connection Film Crew
PenSafe Inc.
SBA Communications Corporation
SKYLOTEC North America LP
SMC
Thayer Wireless, LLC.
University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)
USA Telecom Insurance Services, Inc.
USANG
YOKE
