[TowerTalk] Tower safety gear

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/26/04 3:57:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time, ab2os at att.net 
writes:

> One surely needs more than just a belt (e.g., hard hat, sturdy boots), 
>  but why would a lineman's belt not suffice for the belt component of the 
>  equipment?

    Okay, we've all climbed and worked using a simple waist safety belt. But 
it is a potentially dangerous piece of safety equipment - if you fell and were 
caught by this belt in an upright position, the belt could be pulled up to 
your chest and the pressure on your diaphragm could suffocate you. The waist 
safety belt is no longer approved by OSHA.

    The OSHA compliant rig now is a fall arrest harness with a D-ring between 
your shoulder blades. The fall arrest lanyard is attached to it and the other 
end is hooked somewhere above you so that if you peel off, you're caught in a 
natural, non-lethal position. 

    Since the OSHA rules only apply to persons that are doing it for a 
profession and getting paid, you as a ham and weekend tower jock don't have to 
follow their rules. OTOH being attached to a tower as your waist positioning belt 
is unhooked and you're moving around the tower is a GOOD THING. 

    The other thing about OSHA rules is that you need to be attached to the 
tower 100% of the time; using your fall arrest lanyard as you climb is one way 
to do that. 

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
Champion Radio Products
Purveyors of professional OSHA approved safety equipment
<A HREF="http://www.championradio.com">www.championradio.com</A> 
888-833-3104