> TT:
>
> While respecting Alan NV8A's decisions regarding his own safety on his
> tower, I agree with Pat AA6EG, below, that the Buckingham safety belt is
> very ruggedly built and a standard item of safety equipment for
> professionals for years.
I use a vulcanized, nylon monofilament pole strap even on steel towers. It
is extremely rugged, but also expensive.
>
> While we're on the subject of watching what we're doing with our
> equipment on a tower, let me reiterate what I've seen written on TowerTalk
> many times: When you fasten your positioning belt on a tower, LISTEN,
> FEEL and LOOK. LISTEN to the hardware snap into place on the D-ring.
> FEEL that it has actually closed into position, with its safety release
> catch (your positioning belt has one, doesn't it?) firmly closed as well.
> And LOOK to see that the snaps are all closed and in position. All this
> should be done BEFORE you lean back into your safety harness.
My pole strap has safety clips which require you grip *both* sides of the
clamp and squeeze before the latch can be moved. If you press against the
latch as against a tower, you can not release the safety catches until that
pressure is released. Still, you want the clips opening out as an
additional safety factor.
>
> BTW - The main release snaps on your positioning belt should face AWAY
> from your waist belt. In this way you can't roll into the release snap
> and loosen it with the D-ring. And here's where the safety release catch
> comes into play - you have to release IT, on the opposite side of the main
> catch, before you can disengage your belt from the tower. These safety
> catches can't be rolled into and released.
You sometimes swear at them when really busy up there, but overall you end
up swearing by them.
Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com
>
> 73 de
> Gene Smar AD3F
>
>
>
>
>> This brings up the absolute necessity of user familiarity with his own
>> personal safety belt, and thorough inspections every time before use. My
>> old
>> buckingham style belt probably should be upgraded, (tossed) though, as
>> it
>> has a safety weakness...the spring loaded snaps are not locking types, as
>> are most these days. It is mathematically possible (but not probable,
>> with
>> care) to ignore a series of several operating practices when strapping
>> off
>> to a pole or tower and have non-locking snaps flipped in such a way on
>> the
>> belt rings that when slack is pulled up, (when you first lean back,
>> loading
>> the belt with your full weight.. hopefully you do so every time, WITH
>> both
>> hands firmly gripping the tower or pole) one or both of the snaps can
>> disconnect, leaving you unattached to the tower. Careful attention to
>> looking at what you are doing when strapping off minimizes this
>> possiblity.
>> Locking snaps prevents it.
>>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|