[TowerTalk] Re: Tower Safety Equipment

[Phil Camera]

And, if I may make my regularly scheduled transmission of safety 
information concerning fall protection. 

One poster mentioned that he only used a rope lanyard rather than a 
shock absorbing lanyard, which is to be attached to the D Ring on the 
back of your full body harness.  When the average 300 lb. individual 
falls, if the fall is abruptly stopped like when using a non shock 
absorbing lanyard, the force exerted on the body and harness is about 
5000 lbs.  That's enough to tear you up.  Using a shock absorbing 
lanyard, the forces are mitigated down to about 500 lbs.  When that is 
applied to a properly fitting full body harness, those loads are 
transferred to the strongest bones in the body, your hips.

The poster from below mentions the safety cable, which is a good idea 
except it must also be designed properly.  OSHA dictates that all fall 
protection attachment points be capable of withstanding a 5000 lb. 
load.  3/8 wire rope has a working load limit of less than 3000 lbs.  
Also, the attachment up top must be very robust.  Inquiring minds may 
want to know.  Be safe, Phil  KB9CRY

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>>While we are on the topic to tower safety, let me make my regularly scheduled 
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>plug for a permanent safety system on your tower. This can be as simple as a 
>3/8" galvanized steel cable that is well anchored to the top of the tower and 
>runs down one face. You then use a trailing cable grab on your safety lanyard, 
>and you are always "clipped on".<
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