Section 8
Safety

Working at height

8C1 Recall that antenna erection is potentially hazardous and that it is advisable to have someone to help you.

You must be very careful when putting up your antennas. If using a ladder make sure you have at least one person with you to help:-

1.  so they can hold the bottom of they ladder in case the ladder moves


2.  so they are there and can obtain medical assistance quickly should it be needed


3.  so they can warn anybody getting too close to the ladder that you are working overhead

Understand the need for at least one adult to be present.

What if I drop something whilst up the ladder ? Let's hope you don't but ALWAYS have the person at the bottom of the ladder wearing a hard hat, in case you do drop something and it is a good idea to wear a hard hat yourself whilst up the ladder.

8C2 Recall that a ladder should be used at the correct angle (4:1 height-to-base ratio).

When working on a ladder to put up antennas etc remember the golden rule is 1 out for 4 up.

Or put it another way for every 1 metre the ladder is out from the wall you can be 4 metres up the wall.

How ever you want to remember it:- the golden rule is "1 out for 4 up".

Understand that ladders must be adequately secured to prevent them slipping.

When you are up a ladder, you have the chance to fall off if the ladder moves. Thus tie the ladder firmly at the top so that it cannot move and whilst doing that have an adult who knows what they are doing holding it at the bottom. Better still get two adults to make the ladder as safe as possible and let them do the necessary work - less fun but safer!

Understand why it is important not to overreach from a ladder, to prevent falling off.

When you are on a ladder remember another golden rule :-

"Always have three limbs in contact with the ladder"

that will prevent you from over reaching. If you do over reach a ladder at least two things could happen:-

•     you fall off or


•     the ladder turns round and you end up on the under side wondering what on earth happened and thinking what you are going to do next.

8C3 Understand why, when working at height, a tool belt or similar device to carry tools should be used, and that it will help prevent falling objects.

When working above ground level it is good practise to use some form of tool belt to hold tools that you are going to use. It means that the tools are :

•     to hand


•     are not left after you have come down


•     helps prevent them be knocked off a resting place down to the ground with the possibility of hitting the person holding the ladder !!

Understand the need to wear hard hats when working at height or when others are working at height

Now a hard hat is not a fashion accessory but it is an absolute necessity when working above ground or when you are standing below someone working overhead.

A falling tool would have a distinct possibility of cracking your skull if hit by a large spanner of hammer falling from above you.

The origin of some of the text on this page is from the RSGB with additions by the web master