Photo: NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association
Watertown, SD — Securing fall protection to an engineered anchor point is critical for communication tower workers using mobile elevated work platforms such as bucket trucks or aerial lifts.
Cameron Swanson – vice president of environmental, health and safety at Ontivity – offers that view, along with other guidance, in a new video from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association.
Swanson speaks with host Sean Gilhooley about best practices when working with mobile elevated work platforms. They include:
- Complete proper training and perform pre-work inspections on equipment.
- Be mindful of work surroundings, including overhead power lines and pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Use proper fall protection equipment and never connect to a handrail or midrail.
- Avoid complacency. “That’s the biggest thing that we battle on a day-to-day basis,” Swanson said.
- Be familiar with procedures and instructions in the equipment manual. “Whatever you do, don’t color outside the lines. Don’t make a (sudden) decision,” Swanson said. “Because it really could cost you or a fellow colleague their life.”
- Identify potential overhead obstructions before work and follow proper minimum approach distances.
- Ensure items transported in a bucket or lift are secured, and don’t exceed the weight limit.
The video is the most recent installment in NATE’s Climber Connection series, which promotes safe work practices for communication tower workers.
McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.
Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication