COURSE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

Many tower rescues can be accomplished with basic rescue training. However advanced skills may be necessary when working from large or heavily congested towers that require rescuers to think outside the box deploying various raising systems, cross-hauls, ground based rescue, lower from above or combinations of each system.

Our Competent Fall Protection Safety & Rescue (Advanced Techniques) program was developed with these scenarios in mind and is intended for climbers with more than 90 days climbing experience and the fundamental climbing skills from which to build.

Safety One offers an engaging and effective balance between classroom instruction, hands-on tower climbing, and practical rescue scenarios.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a wallet card and certificate from Safety One, they will be able to:

• Perform ground and tower-based rescue
• Properly inspect and install equipment necessary for advanced rescue
• Appropriately inspect and install raising and hauling systems for rescue applications

COURSE DURATION: Two Days (16 Hours)

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 8 (1 Instructor)

COURSE CONTENT SUMMARY

This course is intended for men and women who are responsible for performing work at height and/or implementing and monitoring a managed fall protection program. It was developed specifically for those working from telecommunications and/or utility towers though the material covered is relevant for climbers working in construction on or above ground storage tanks, silos or other elevated positions.

Course Overview

• Introduction to safety standards as they pertain to tower climbing
• Anchorage and Anchorage Connectors
• Full Body Harness
• Work Positioning and Work Positioning Lanyards
• Fall Arrest Devices including: Ladder Safety Systems, Vertical and Horizontal Lifelines and Fall Arrest Lanyards
• Structure Types and Hardware

• Ropes, Knots and common Hitches
• Equipment Inspection
• Climbing Techniques
• Controlled descent

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

• Job Hazards Assessment and necessary hazard mitigation
• Documented rescue plan, and employee duties

Tower Climbing

• Proper techniques, industry best practice, and tips for avoiding injury

Tower Rescue

• Procedures, equipment, and suspension trauma
• Controlled descent
• Self-rescue and co-worker rescue
• Appropriate anchors
• Set-up and execution of cross haul and lowering systems
• Load equalization
• Scenarios on various structures
• Appropriate progress capture requirements and use

AUDIENCE

OSHA requires fall protection training for ALL workers exposed to an unguarded edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level. Safety One’s Competent Fall Protection Safety & Advanced Rescue course was developed with industry experts in fall protection and is relevant for full-time climbers, crew foremen, lead hands, linemen, supervisors or safety representatives working at height in the following industries:

• Telecom and Wireless workers including Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) working from towers, water tanks or silos
• Utility workers in transmission and distribution
• Utility contractors
• Tower climbers
• Construction workers
• Signage workers
• Various other industries working from elevated positions

PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE

Successful completion of Safety One’s Authorized (Standard) Fall Protection Safety & Rescue, which can be completed immediately prior to participation in this course. This course requires the physical ability to climb and demonstrate skills at an elevated position. A healthy respect of heights is encouraged.

OSHA

This course meets OSHA training requirements.

A substantial portion of the Competent Fall Protection Safety & Advanced Rescue Certification training covers OSHA certification topics such as:
• OSHA 1910 and 1926 fall protection requirements
• The basic physics and forces in fall protection systems, falls and work positioning
• Proper personal protective equipment selection and inspection
• Fall protection concepts and specific safety equipment
• Maintaining proper attachment in various situations
• Proper documentation
• Individual and small group rescue scenarios

OSHA Standards:

• 29 CFR 1910.268
• 29 CFR 1910.269
• 26 CFR 1910.140
• 29 CFR 1926.21
• 29 CFR 1926.502

ANSI/ASSE

• Z359
• Z89
• Z87
• ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 (dropped object prevention)
• This course uses compliant safety methods from ANSI Z490.1

OTHER STANDARDS

NATE (The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association)

OUTLINE FOR THIS COURSE

Ropes, Knots and Hitches – Their Common Uses For Tower Workers

• Ropes: types, strength ratings, inspections, and documentation
• Knots: rescue knots, midline knots, terminating end knots, effects on strength ratings, and proper use
• Prusik Hitch: common usage for tower workers

Equipment for Advanced Rescue Systems

• Industrial descent devices – use, standards, regulations, and necessary inspection points
• Pulleys: types, applications, use

Raising and Hauling Systems for Rescue & Rigging

• Mechanical advantage – explanation, application, formulas, and simple vs. compound systems
• Anchors: ratings, requirements, use, load sharing configuration, and vector forces
• Cross hauls and lowering systems
• Rescue options
• Load equalization
• Scenarios on various structures

Written Evaluation

Field Training, Setup & Rescue Systems

Participation in the afternoon session will put theories learned in the classroom into specific application on a tower. Students will demonstrate skills learned through scenario-based training under direct supervision of a Safety One instructor. Various rescue scenarios will be given. Rescue options may include;

• Ground-based rescue
• Skate block
• Lower from above
• Cross hauls
• Other rescue techniques applicable to the structure

Student requests for specific applications or difficult challenges are welcomed and encouraged.

Documented Skills Assessment

COURSE MATERIALS

Students will receive the Competent Fall Protection Safety & Rescue (Advanced Techniques) Training Student Manual and other materials necessary to complete the course.

STUDENT/EMPLOYER TESTIMONIALS

“The additional skills covered in this course above the standard course were really beneficial to me as a tower technician. I always work safely but this course allowed me to work much more efficiently and enabled me to get the job done sooner with a higher level of confidence-thanks guys!”

-Top Hand, four years of climbing experience