Diddy1
join:2003-07-19
Sidney, NE
| Tower Climbing Gear
What do you people use for gear when climbing a tower. I have some harnesses that provide fall arrest but wanted to know if there what you guys use for hands free work. I mean, I know there is gear to work atop a tower with both hands free while not falling  Interested in what's available. Turning a 7' mast atop a 50' tower with one hand is quite difficult!
Aaron |
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gator17
join:2004-10-26
Oconto, WI
1 edit | at only 50' I would just hire a bucket truck, Most local electricians will have one that could reach that height, But if you need to climb it then here is waht I did on a 135ft water tower, We used a pulley system, I climbed up with a pulley and rope (I did this in sections but you could do it in one climb) Attach the pulley to the top and send the rope down, I would guess you need 120 ft rope, have a person on the bottom pull up the equipment to you, once you have it up there you can secure it as needed, repeat for each piece of equipment needed. be prepared on the ground and go through it in your head 75 times before you go up, because it sucks climbing up and down all day (not to mention dangerous)
Just what we did to keep it simple |
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wispman
join:2004-12-21
USA
| There is only one thing you can be sure of in this situation. You will forget things. It just always happens. If your by yourself, plan on at least 2 climbs, then you don't kill yourself on the first climb hauling everything in the world up there. If you have help, all you need if a rope, a ground man, and a tower monkey.
Climbing gear? I'm looking for some too. |
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BitWise2000
join:2001-09-29
| reply to Diddy1
said by Diddy1  :What do you people use for gear when climbing a tower. I have some harnesses that provide fall arrest but wanted to know if there what you guys use for hands free work. I mean, I know there is gear to work atop a tower with both hands free while not falling Interested in what's available. Turning a 7' mast atop a 50' tower with one hand is quite difficult! Aaron To stop and work (or rest) at any point on the climb, you use a positioning lanyard, strap, or chain. When you are positioned, you must also have your fall arrest gear attached to an appropriate anchor point on the tower and to your rear d-ring, or you must be attached to a safety climb with an ascender or the like. |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
 ·CenturyLink
| reply to Diddy1
Here is some information:
»www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp···_id=9730
»www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp···id=10925
These first two from OSHA have a wealth of information and technical discussion. You will be well-informed after reading these. They are not that long or onerous.
»www.comtrainusa.com/Products/toys.htm
»www.comtrainusa.com/IndividualTr···dual.htm
»mrtmag.com/mag/radio_tower_climb···_rescue/
I strongly suggest further training, or at least reading on your part.
And, finally, for gear:
»www.glenmartin.com/safety/
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A is A |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| Just thought that I would state the obvious...
Don't fall off.
Wear rated fall protection while on the tower. A rope tied around your waist is not a good idea.
Don't climb if the tower is wet. One slip is all it takes, and you will not survive a fall from 80 feet.
Wear good gloves when you climb. You'll do better, and your hands will thank you for it tomorrow.
Wear footwear that has gripping power, and is supportive. Slick bottomed, worn shoes are an invitation to disaster.
Dress appropriately. It may seem nice while you are on the ground, but up in the air it WILL be windy. You will get cold.
Don't start too early in the morning. Give the morning dew a chance to evaporate. 9-10 AM is a reasonable start time, especially with a 'short' tower such as this.
Check the weather. Climbing in a two hour window before the thunderstorms arrive is probably a bad idea.
Make sure that you are well-rested and eat before you go up, but not too much. You want the blood in your muscles, not in your stomach.
Keep the ground crew clear of the tower at least 30 feet while you are up there. Anything falling from the tower will KILL them if it hits them.
Take radios with you so you don't have to yell. It makes it easier to communicate and avoid misunderstandings. Cheap FRS radios are OK.
Do not use a five gallon bucket to haul stuff. The handle will break. Get a rated tool bucket. They don't cost that much.
Take your time...don't hurry...do a GOOD job. You don't want to have to do this again any time soon, and after all, winter is on its way.
I know that you knew all this stuff...just thought that I would mention it.
You know, safety briefing before the job starts...
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A is A |
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Semaphore
Premium
join:2003-11-18
Arnprior On.
| reply to Diddy1
Don't use a mountain climbing harness, it's not the same thing. But you can goto a mountain equipment store for some of your other stuff. I prefer carabiners, hooks can 'roll out' WAY to easily - you'd be amazed. I use a short rope with a b'lay and two carabiners on it at the hip rings, this wraps around the tower when I need hands free. This is in _addition_ to the fall arrest harness connected to the dorsel ring... never trust the blay by itself. You could just use a short rope with two carabiners but the b'lay into the 'biner gives you flexibility as to the length of rope and therefor the diameter of, and closeness to, the tower. |
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cmaenginsb
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA
| reply to Diddy1
A rope tied around your waist is guaranteed to break your back. Don't use the same ropes, pulleys etc that you use to haul gear. Also make sure any gear used for fall arrest is rated to 6000lbs or more.
As to the specifics, get a harness that has a center back D-ring and two waist d-rings. The center back D-ring is going to be your main fall arrest point. For fall arrest you want a lanyard that is no more than 6'. You can either use 2 lanyards or a Y lanyard as you need to be attached to the tower 100% of the time you're above 6 feet.
As bitwise mentioned once you're done climbing and ready to work you use a positioning strap to be able to go "hands free". It's a trip the first time you do it, but after thay you'll never climb without one.
Finally a pulley and a bucket is invaluable, make sure the line is 2x time climb height so your ground support can work this instead of you. Hardhats for anyone on the ground and have them stay far away if they are not needed. As for buckets, I prefer the electricians buckets sold by Klien. They collapse to a small form factor and the bigger one can hold tools, clamps and radios.
As to gear, contact »www.elkriver.com. A harness, Y lanyard and positioning strap will be around $500. Go with a lanyard that uses carabiners as you can load them sideways, a snap hook cannot.
Do not mess with your safety, the reason the rules exist is because of the laize faire attitude in the past that killed a lot of climbers. |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| said by cmaenginsb :Finally a pulley and a bucket is invaluable, make sure the line is 2x time climb height so your ground support can work this instead of you. Tie knots in the ends of the rope (or other such arrangement) a few feet back (5 feet or so) from the end to keep them from running out of the pulley.
You feel REALLY STUPID watching that rope fall to the ground...!
Climbing is serious business. Treat it as such...live to "tell the tale".
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A is A |
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sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
 ·Optimum Online
| said by John Galt :Climbing is serious business. Treat it as such...live to "tell the tale". And remember, don't Do as Superdog Does, Do as Superdog Says. |
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superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| said by sporkme :said by John Galt :Climbing is serious business. Treat it as such...live to "tell the tale". And remember, don't Do as Superdog Does, Do as Superdog Says. I won't even laugh at that, because it really hits close to home;). You won't understand what I mean, until You do something really stupid. I have "been there, and done that" too many times. I have fallen off of a roof twice, and both times I lived to tell about it. Others have not been that lucky. According to a study by OSHA, 80% of falls above 25 feet are fatal. Keep that in mind when You decide to just climb up quick to "put on a zip tie". As Sporkme says, Do as I say, and NOT as I do(I sound like a preacher?:o ). Overconfidence builds mistakes, and will lead to Your death:( . If any of You knew how many close calls I have had being stupid, You would faint. When You slip, and reach for a handhold?, I hope it's there................................?
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»www.wavecrazy.net Join WISPA today! »www.wispa.org/ |
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rfnut
Premium
join:2002-04-27
Fisher, IL
·Mediacom
| reply to Diddy1
Rather than dig my equipment out of the shed and photograph it, here is what I use. |
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aeronet
join:2002-04-05
San Juan, PR
| reply to Diddy1
I see that you're using the old back breaker....
lots of hard time I've spent with that belt...
now I use this:
»www.dbisala.com/us/products/prod···tail.asp
Never going back...
Gino |
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rfnut
Premium
join:2002-04-27
Fisher, IL | Maybe an oldie, but a goodie. I only use it when hookin, a pole. I use the harness on towers now. ( hmm I am sitting here with a back ache, maybe too many years using the belt?):D |
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superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| reply to aeronet
try this link for aeronets picture: »www.dbisala.com/us/industry/prod···og_id=18
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»www.wavecrazy.net Join WISPA today! »www.wispa.org/ |
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BitWise2000
join:2001-09-29
| reply to Diddy1
Since everyone is giving their favorite links...
»www.midwestunlimited.com is a great distributor of all the good stuff. Get their catalog to see the huge range of items available. My absolute favorite and most time-saving piece of gear is an Elk adjustable rope positioning lanyard. Use it once and you'll be hooked. HA! "hooked", get it? |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| Great site...!
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A is A |
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BigCreek
God Is Good.
Premium
join:2002-06-25
Heber Springs, AR
| reply to superdog
said by superdog :
According to a study by OSHA, 80% of falls above 25 feet are fatal.
The other eye-popping statistic is that if an adult person falls from 10 feet, they have a 50/50 chance of being a fatality.
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SBC Pro Static DSL; Linux. Terrific wife & kids; live on a farm by Big Creek. Software & network consultant. |
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timtci
join:2005-03-20
| reply to Diddy1
OK.
Inormally just look at this forum and see what every one's opion is.But this one conserns safety and it is in my field.
First do not climb any tower unless it is absoultly neccessary with out the proper safety training.....Did you see all of those periods!I am a wisp my self but also have been the commercial tower industry for 12 years.My company handles all of the tower work for Chevron/Texaco in East Texas.Now i would like every one to understand that I can't force you to not go up a tower, but you can take the following advice.
A rope is for raising equipment only unless man rated.
Man rated is a minimum of 5000lb. working load,not breaking strength.
Every piece of safety equipment you use should have a minimum working load of 5000lbs.This is OSHA regulation.
A fall arrest lynard is the only lynard that OSHA will approve.The limit on a fall not to just surrive but also not to have any internal injuries is 6ft.A 6ft.fall with out any fall arrest,just a nylon lynard applies the equivelant of 4000lbs. of force to the body.The human body may surrive this impact with out death but not without serious injury.
We have worked on and constructed over 2000 towers over the last 12 years with out any major injuries.A young man we became close friends with from another tower crew fell 35ft. last month and had to have his jaw reconstructed and 7 metal plates put in his head to hold his skull together.
Did you get that? He fell 35ft. not 80ft.
I do not mean to get on my soap box, I just see you same guys posting all the time and I would hate to hear any of you got hurt.I do understand the high cost of having to hire tower work and it does force your hand on a limited budget.If there is any one that reads this and would like some free advice on safety I would be happy to help.There is no possible way I can explain everything in this post.
By the way, of all of the pictures in the post above only one product is OSHA approved and that is the Elk River harness.If you have to stand on the tower for more than 20 minutes that is not the one you want.It has no padding and no spare positioning D-rings.The guy above did give a good web site,midwestunlimited.com has a wide array of products. The harness you want and the one every member of our tower crews use is the Elk River Tower Eagle.Most comfortable and highest rated harness on the market.$ 219.00 What is your life worth.Think about it.If you own the WISP and you are climbing towers your self,its like sending the General to the front lines during a war.I am serious about free safety advice.We teach a "Train the Trainer" class once a month on fall arrest and vertical rescue.I am not trying to sell the class to you ,I'm saying I will help with any advice I can if it prevents an injury.
perry @texascellnet.com
(903) 275-9827
Use your head guys! |
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flamedog
join:2001-08-03
Jackson, WY
1 edit | Thanks timtci...that's great info.
So I'm sure a training course will cover this...but in addition to the Tower Eagle harness...what are the other key pieces of gear to be in every climber's gear bag in your opinion?
And another item of tower safety not covered...how do you know that a third party tower is actually designed to safely support climbing without collapsing? |
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