Tower Safety Awareness and Rescue Team Overview

TOWER SAFETY &
AWARENESS
SHACOG TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM
BACKGROUND
What is the South Hills Area Council of  Governments
22 Municipalities
300K+ Population Base
220+ square miles
Career and Volunteer Public Safety Agencies (40+ Fire and EMS Agencies)
Technical Rescue Team Founded 2008
2015 Rescue Service of the Year
3 hams on the team
OBJECTIVES
Common Tower Type Overview
General Hazards / Safety
Proper Personal Protective Equipment
Climbing Preparations / Proper climbing Technique
Ground Personnel
Types of Emergencies / What to do in case of Emergency
WHY ARE WE HERE?
Tower Climbing is a High Risk Low Frequency Event from a rescue stand point
High Consequence + Low Margin for Error
Tower Climbing is not something any particular amateur is doing “every” day
Lee Parsons III (N3LPJ) was killed in 2019 during a tower installation project
http://www.arrl.org/news/pennsylvania-radio-amateur-dies-in-tower-installation-mishap
Rescues are challenging and can be labor intensive depending
FATALITY RATES: COMMERCIAL VS AMATEUR*
Commercial
Est 300K commercial towers in US
5.2K FTE workers: 10,360,000 hours
Deaths
93 from ‘03-’11 (9 years)
10.3 deaths per year
199 deaths / 100K FTE Workers / Year
*Data was taken second hand from Jim Idelson Presentation which sourced the data from OSHA and PBS Frontline Pro-Publica
Amateur
Est 38K Amateur towers in US
24 hours / tower / year
Est 456 FTE climbers: 912,000 hours
Deaths
4 in 12 months (‘18-’19) (17 since 2000)
878 deaths / 100K FTE Workers / Year
COMMON TOWER TYPES:
 
MONOPOLE
Single Tube Structure
Multi-Section
100-200 ft
Hard to climb
Difficult for rescue
due to structure
Limited Access
 
COMMON TOWER TYPES:
 
SELF-SUPPORTED
Triangular or Square Base
Often Tapered
200-400 ft
One leg typically has an
integrated safety system in
commercial
Easiest of towers to climb and
work on
 
COMMON TOWER TYPES:
 
GUYED
Rise from a single point
Supported by guy wires
Can reach in excess of 2000’
feet
Most common in amateur radio
Rescue may be complex based
on height.
 
COMMON HAZARDS
Falls
RF Exposure
Electrical
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/16/a-dangerous-demonstration-of-the-power-of-radio/
PROPER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Helmet
Eye Protection
Gloves
Fall Protection Harness
Positioning
“Good” footwear
ARRL Handbook (2013 ed.) has fairly limited
information on this topic
OHSA 1926.502(d)(21)Personal fall arrest
systems SHALL be inspected prior to each 
use for wear, damage, and other deterioration,
and defective 
components SHALL be removed from service.
6.1 Inspection6.1.1 Equipment SHALL be
inspected by the user before each 
use and, additionally, by a competent person
other than the 
user at intervals of no more than one year.
https://falltech.com/training-education/fall-
protection-topics-videos/
100% ATTACHED + FALL ARREST
100% attached means that you are
always
 connected to the tower by
something other than your hands/feet.
This isn’t a guideline; It’s a 
NON-
NEGOTIABLE
 Requirement
Fall Arrest reduces potential of major
injuries
Proper Dual Fall Arrest Lanyard
Technique
Bad Example from DX Engineering
PREPARATIONS BEFORE CLIMBING
Climber
DON’T CLIMB ALONE
Dress for Success
Proper PPE
Proper clothing for weather
Sunscreen
Pre-Use Inspection of PPE
Have a Plan – What is going to be done,
how is it going to be done.
Ground Support Person(s)
1.
Tower Climber is in Charge
2.
Don’t do anything unless directed by
climber
3.
PACE Plan
4.
ABCDEFG
Anchors, Bodywear, Connection, Devices,
Edge Protection, Force Check, Good to Go
EMERGENCIES!
Climber Illness/Medical Emergency
Anaphylaxis
Fall of a Climber
Suspension Trauma
Equipment Misuse or Malfunction
Trespasser/Unauthorized Access
Information to Gather
1)
Reason for Response
2)
Type of Tower
3)
Height of Patient and Height of Tower
4)
Patient Contact / Level of Consciousness
5)
Secured to Structure
6)
Known Medical Conditions
7)
Known Hazards
WHAT IS SUSPENSION
TRAUMA?
WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO HELP!
Bleeding Control - Direct Pressure
Bleeding Control - Wound Packing
Bleeding Control - Tourniquet
Stop the Bleed
CPR
Call 911
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SOURCES
SHACOG Website: 
https://www.shacog.com
Elevated Safety: 
https://elevatedsafety.com/
ARRL:
http://www.arrl.org/news/new-england-radio-amateur-hosts-video-on-tower-safety
ARRL Handbook Chapter on Safety (Chapter 28 2013 Ed.)
Zero Falls Alliance: 
https://zerofalls.org/
The Driven Element: 
https://blog.thedrivenelement.com/
Text Resources Available:
https://www.arrl.org/shop/Antenna-Towers-for-Radio-Amateurs/
https://www.championradio.com/UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-Guide-To-Tower-
Construction.1
ARRL September 2021 QST Magazine
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South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG) Technical Rescue Team is a dedicated group serving 22 municipalities across a 220+ square mile area with 40+ public safety agencies. With a focus on tower safety awareness, the team provides crucial information on common tower types, hazards, personal protective equipment, climbing techniques, and emergency preparedness. The high-risk nature of tower climbing, as evidenced by fatality rates, underscores the importance of proper training and safety protocols in this field.

  • Tower Safety
  • Technical Rescue Team
  • South Hills Area
  • Public Safety
  • Emergency Preparedness

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  1. TOWER SAFETY & AWARENESS SHACOG TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM

  2. BACKGROUND What is the South Hills Area Council of Governments 22 Municipalities 300K+ Population Base 220+ square miles Career and Volunteer Public Safety Agencies (40+ Fire and EMS Agencies) Technical Rescue Team Founded 2008 2015 Rescue Service of the Year 3 hams on the team

  3. OBJECTIVES Common Tower Type Overview General Hazards / Safety Proper Personal Protective Equipment Climbing Preparations / Proper climbing Technique Ground Personnel Types of Emergencies / What to do in case of Emergency

  4. WHY ARE WE HERE? Tower Climbing is a High Risk Low Frequency Event from a rescue stand point High Consequence + Low Margin for Error Tower Climbing is not something any particular amateur is doing every day Lee Parsons III (N3LPJ) was killed in 2019 during a tower installation project http://www.arrl.org/news/pennsylvania-radio-amateur-dies-in-tower-installation-mishap Rescues are challenging and can be labor intensive depending

  5. FATALITY RATES: COMMERCIAL VS AMATEUR* Amateur Commercial Est 38K Amateur towers in US Est 300K commercial towers in US 24 hours / tower / year 5.2K FTE workers: 10,360,000 hours Est 456 FTE climbers: 912,000 hours Deaths 93 from 03- 11 (9 years) Deaths 10.3 deaths per year 4 in 12 months ( 18- 19) (17 since 2000) 199 deaths / 100K FTE Workers / Year 878 deaths / 100K FTE Workers / Year *Data was taken second hand from Jim Idelson Presentation which sourced the data from OSHA and PBS Frontline Pro-Publica

  6. COMMON TOWER TYPES: MONOPOLE Single Tube Structure Multi-Section 100-200 ft Hard to climb Difficult for rescue due to structure Limited Access

  7. COMMON TOWER TYPES: SELF-SUPPORTED Triangular or Square Base Often Tapered 200-400 ft One leg typically has an integrated safety system in commercial Easiest of towers to climb and work on

  8. COMMON TOWER TYPES: GUYED Rise from a single point Supported by guy wires Can reach in excess of 2000 feet Most common in amateur radio Rescue may be complex based on height.

  9. COMMON HAZARDS Falls RF Exposure Physical Cognitive Fatigue, Chills, Dizziness, Burning Sensation, Extremity Tingling, Unusual Thirst Uncertainty, Confusion, Concentration Loss, Memory, Poor Attention/Problem- Solving Electrical https://hackaday.com/2020/04/16/a-dangerous-demonstration-of-the-power-of-radio/

  10. PROPER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Helmet OHSA 1926.502(d)(21)Personal fall arrest systems SHALL be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components SHALL be removed from service. Eye Protection Gloves Fall Protection Harness 6.1 Inspection6.1.1 Equipment SHALL be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally, by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no more than one year. Positioning Good footwear ARRL Handbook (2013 ed.) has fairly limited information on this topic https://falltech.com/training-education/fall- protection-topics-videos/

  11. 100% ATTACHED + FALL ARREST 100% attached means that you are always connected to the tower by something other than your hands/feet. Proper Dual Fall Arrest Lanyard Technique Bad Example from DX Engineering This isn t a guideline; It s a NON- NEGOTIABLE Requirement Fall Arrest reduces potential of major injuries

  12. PREPARATIONS BEFORE CLIMBING Climber Ground Support Person(s) DON T CLIMB ALONE 1. Tower Climber is in Charge Dress for Success Proper PPE Proper clothing for weather Sunscreen Pre-Use Inspection of PPE 2. Don t do anything unless directed by climber 3. PACE Plan 4. ABCDEFG Anchors, Bodywear, Connection, Devices, Edge Protection, Force Check, Good to Go Have a Plan What is going to be done, how is it going to be done.

  13. EMERGENCIES! Climber Illness/Medical Emergency Information to Gather Anaphylaxis 1) Reason for Response Fall of a Climber 2) Type of Tower Suspension Trauma 3) Height of Patient and Height of Tower Equipment Misuse or Malfunction 4) Patient Contact / Level of Consciousness Trespasser/Unauthorized Access 5) Secured to Structure 6) Known Medical Conditions 7) Known Hazards

  14. WHAT IS SUSPENSION TRAUMA?

  15. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP! Bleeding Control - Direct Pressure Bleeding Control - Wound Packing Stop the Bleed Bleeding Control - Tourniquet CPR Call 911

  16. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SOURCES SHACOG Website: https://www.shacog.com Elevated Safety: https://elevatedsafety.com/ ARRL: http://www.arrl.org/news/new-england-radio-amateur-hosts-video-on-tower-safety ARRL Handbook Chapter on Safety (Chapter 28 2013 Ed.) Zero Falls Alliance: https://zerofalls.org/ The Driven Element: https://blog.thedrivenelement.com/ Text Resources Available: https://www.arrl.org/shop/Antenna-Towers-for-Radio-Amateurs/ https://www.championradio.com/UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-Guide-To-Tower- Construction.1 ARRL September 2021 QST Magazine

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