Those who work as tower climbers in the telecommunications industry will already be aware of the importance of height safety gear. There are zero margins for error when up in the air and hanging from the side of a telecommunications tower, making it vital for wireless companies to have the best safety gear available for their tower climbers.
Safety gear for tower climbers should include a tower harness, climbing lanyard and work positioning lanyard to be able to safely climb the tower and get into the right position.
Tower Harness
A tower climbing harness usually comes in the form of a lightweight fall arrest harness with features such as back, leg, shoulder and/or waist padding, quick connect buckles, forward, rear and side D-rings for pole straps or work positioning, and adjustable chest straps.
Climbing Lanyards
A twin fall arrest lanyard is crucial for climbing towers. The use of a twin lanyard makes certain that there is at least one attachment point for the climber at all times wherever they move around the tower.
Work positioning Lanyards
Work positioning lanyards are specifically designed for positioning someone that is working on a tower. They are intended to hold the user in position and ensure that their hands are free to allow them to do the job. Variations can include rope versus webbing and adjustable versus fixed-length designs. Work positioning lanyards are intended to be used together with a backup fall arrest device.
Work positioning lanyards come in adjustable and non-adjustable types.
In order to ensure that tools stay secure while also being able to get them up and down from the tower, hand hauling gear and a rated gear bag are important safety gear.
Hand Hauling Gear
Hand-powered equipment for the lowering and lifting of light loads up and down a tower usually include pulley style devices that are controlled by friction, load-rated carabiners and high strength lifting slings.
Rated Gear Bags
Load-rated gear bags are intended to ensure tools remain accessible when the user is high on the tower. They usually come with load-rated anchor points, built-in tool sleeves, mounting straps, and straps or pockets. Kits can also be upgraded for further useful additions.
Powered Devices
A specialist device for additional hauling power, a powered ascender or descender device can really change the game for tower climbers. It should be a priority for tower climbers to be able to get themselves and their tools up, down and around as quickly as possible with minimum effort, making it vital to put this on the list.
Tower Rescue Kit
This life saving rescue gear is a definite “must have” for tower climbers. A tower rescue kit should – at the absolute minimum – include rope, a descender, carabiners, an anchor strip and a mini haul kit. Helpful additions can also include the likes of slings, a yoke, a first aid kit and a rescue knife.
There is a wide range of tower climber kits available that will include everything all the safety gear for tower climbers they need to stay safe.