With so many aspects of our lives becoming increasingly dependent on our level of connectivity to the internet, strong and reliable signals are vital to our lifestyle. Ultimately, this means that the tower climbing industry is crucial to maintaining our modern infrastructure, and is, as such, a highly sought-after position by trade professionals. However, this job is also incredibly dangerous, and those looking to make a career in this industry need to know how to keep themselves safe. These are a few tips and tricks all tower climbers need to know to protect themselves on the job.
Always Have a Safety Plan
Safety should be a top priority during any tower climbing job. From the time your boots leave the ground, you’re at risk of falling and sustaining a serious injury. Because of this, it’s important to always have an emergency safety plan in case anything goes wrong during a climb. This plan often contains a detailed write-up of the potential hazards, the company procedures for dealing with them, and a rescue plan should something go awry.
Store Equipment Properly
Tower climbers use a variety of tools to climb up the tower safely and perform their job duties. While each of them is useful for different tasks, they’re all essential to a successful day’s work. Taking the time to store your equipment properly is a great way to keep it all in working and dependable condition for the next job. In fact, failing to do so can cause your tools to deteriorate more quickly than expected and put you at risk down the line.
Stay Hydrated
Another helpful tip that all tower climbers need to know is to continuously drink water to keep yourself hydrated. As it’s an outdoor job, tower climbers are in direct contact with extreme temperatures, winds, and even storms. These situations require them to be at peak performing condition to stay safe. Because of this, they need to do what they can to protect themselves from the disorienting effects of dehydration. The summertime is particularly difficult with its excessive heat, and staying hydrated is one of the main components of treating and preventing heat stroke.
Be Aware of Hazard Signs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has several key guidelines for placing signage on towers that each worker should be aware of. Certain signs point out specific dangers, while some inform the onlooker of operational protocols. Though all beginners should receive training in what these signs mean, their importance is something that every worker should continually keep in mind.
