What really is the name or type of training you need for climbing communication towers?
“CERTIFIED” – “AUTHORIZED” – “COMPETENT” – “QUALIFIED” – “ADVANCED” – “AWARENESS LEVEL” – “OPERATIONS LEVEL” – “TECHNICIAN LEVEL”
Listed here is a brief description of what each of these titles / terms mean to TRS:
“CERTIFIED”
The actual term certified has many meanings. Here is one: In first-party certification, an individual or organization providing the good or service offers assurance that it meets certain claims. In second-party certification, an association to which the individual or organization belongs provides the assurance. Third-party certification involves an independent assessment declaring that specified requirements pertaining to a product, person, process or management system have been met.
OSHA 1910.268
R 408.42907 Definitions.
(2) “Authorized climber” – means an individual with the physical capabilities to climb; who may or may not have previous climbing experience; has been trained in fall protection regulations, the equipment that applies to communication structures work, and instruction for proper use of the equipment.
ANSI Z359.2
(3.2.5.1)
Where fall protection is required, the authorized person shall have a working understanding of and follow the employer’s policy and procedures and the instructions of the competent person regarding the use of fall protection and rescue systems.
(3.2.7.1)
It is the responsibility of authorize rescuers to perform or assist in workplace rescues.
(3.2.7.2)
The authorize rescuer shall through experience and training have a working knowledge of and experience in the selection, use, storage and care of all equipment necessary to perform a rescue.
“COMPETENT”
OSHA 1910.268
R 408.42907 Definitions.
(6) “Competent Person” – means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate problems.
R 408.42910 Fall protection. competent person shall ensure that all fall protection equipment is inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, defect, or other deterioration by employees who have been trained in accordance with R 408.42916. Defective equipment shall be identified and tagged as defective and immediately removed from service.
ANSI Z359.2
(3.2.4.1)
The competent person shall be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the manage fall protection program.
(3.2.4.2)
The confident person shall be knowledgeable through experience and training of applicable fall protection requirements, standards, equipment and systems, and mandatory requirements for fall protection equipment and systems used by their employers.
(3.2.4.6)
The competent person shall prepare, updates, review and approve written fall protection procedures as directed by the program administrator.
The competent person shall ensure a written rescue plan has been developed.
(3.2.4.8)
The competent person shall supervise the selection, installation, use an inspection of non-certified anchorages.
*** NATE CTS (As per NATE – Competent Climber / Rescuer requires minimum 90 days documented tower climbs) Industry Standards as it pertains to Competent Climber / Rescuer.
“QUALIFIED”
OSHA 1910.268
R 408.42907 Definitions.
(30) “Qualified Person” – means a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
ANSI Z359.2
(3.2.3.1)
The qualified person shall be responsible for supporting the fall protection program. Areas of expertise may include system design, horizontal lifeline design, structural analysis, calculation of impact forces and clearances, testing, and great certification, methods of control, equipment selection, and compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
(3.2.3.2)
The qualified person shall be knowledgeable of applicable fall protection regulations, standards, equipment and systems, physical sciences, engineering principles, and mandatory requirements for fall protection equipment and systems used by their employer.
Note: The descriptions and definitions listed here are only part of a complete document and / or standard. It is up to the employer, employee and persons inquiring to understand all pertinent standards and regulations as they pertain to your specific situation and needs.
Emergency Services
“AWARENESS – OPERATIONS – TECHNICIAN LEVELS”
Are defined in NFPA standards 1670 and 1006. These “levels” reference a level of service provided by an “Authority Having Jurisdiction”. This means any emergency services that is under the National Fire Protection Association’s standards should meet these requirements.
More information is provided in our web site under Fire Rescue Technical Training Courses
Emergency Response Regulations
Please note: These regulations are believed to be correct, but are subject to changes at anytime. Check with OSHA and other regulatory bodies for the most accurate and up-to-date information
PART 29. COMMUNICATION TOWERS
R 408.42913 EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
Rule 2913. (1) The employer shall establish and document procedures for rescue of employees in the event of an emergency, which shall include whether the employer will designate its own employees to perform the rescue procedures or whether the employer will designate a third party to perform the rescue procedures. The documented procedures shall be available for review by the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth or his or her designee, upon request.
(2) When an employer uses employees to provide elevated (high angle) rescue and emergency services, the following measures shall be taken:
(a) Ensure at least 2 rescue-trained employees are on- site when employees are working at heights over 6 feet on the structure. When there are only 2 employees on-site and 1 of these employees has been employed for less than 12 months, then that new employee must minimally have documented rescue training which includes steps to be taken in an emergency.
(b) Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) and high angle rescue equipment needed to conduct elevated rescues are provided, utilized, and maintained by the rescue-trained employees.
(c) Train rescue employees so they are proficient in the use and maintenance of PPE and high angle rescue equipment needed to conduct elevated rescues.
(d) Train rescue employees to perform assigned rescue duties to ensure that they maintain the ability to perform and demonstrate such duties by conducting and documenting simulated rescue operations at least once every 12 months. The employer shall keep documentation available for review by the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth or his or her designee, upon request.
Training Certification and Records
PART 29. COMMUNICATION TOWERS
R 408.42919 TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND RECORDS.
Rule 2919. (1) The employer shall document that each employee has been trained with a certification record that includes all of the following:
(a) The identity of the person trained.
(b) The signature of the employer or the qualified person who conducted the training.
(c) The date that training was completed.
(d) A description of the training.
(2) The employer shall maintain a copy of the training lesson plan for each topic of instruction.
(3) The employer shall prepare the certification record at the completion of the training required by these rules and shall be maintained for the duration of the employee’s employment. (4) The most current certification record shall be kept available for review by the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth or his or her designee, upon request. (5) An employer may accept training records or certificates for previous training if the employer verifies that all training and knowledge is up-to-date and applicable to the new employee’s job duties.