Reference:_ITS_Wireless_Communications_Services_Policy_#201_Tower_Safety.pdf
PDF 1 MB Posted
- Solicitation number
- IFB-26-0240
- Issued by
- Maricopa County, Phoenix City, Arizona
About this file
This document is an Information Technology Services Wireless Communications Services Policy establishing safety procedures for tower climbing and maintenance activities within the jurisdiction. The policy outlines comprehensive requirements for all ITS employees involved in communications tower inspection and maintenance tasks, including both climbing and ground-level activities. The policy specifies that only employees certified by the ITS Tower Climbing Instructor may perform tower climbs, with ground personnel requiring separate "Ground Support" certification. Climbing teams must consist of at least two certified rescue climbers for light maintenance or inspections, and three certified climbers for construction or more complex tasks. Prior to any climbing activities, organizations must implement a Hazard Assessment, Pre-mobilization Plan, Safety Plan, Rescue Plan, Equipment Inspections, and designate a Climbing Event Foreman. All climbers must maintain 100% tie-off at all times, wear Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) equipment, hard hats, and safety shoes, with mandatory participation in scheduled Safety Meetings and Quarterly Practical Training sessions.
The policy establishes clear responsibilities among the Tower Training Instructor, Climbing Event Foreman, individual climbers, and the ITS Wireless Manager to ensure consistent safety compliance and proper use of personal and shared safety equipment. Documentation and record-keeping requirements include maintaining certification training and testing documents, re-certification records, Job Hazard Assessments for each climbing event, and climber log-books. Employees who fail to demonstrate proper safety procedures or equipment usage face decertification and must complete recertification training before resuming climbing activities. The policy references OSHA Standard 1926.65 Appendix E and became effective on June 15, 2015, under Revision 4. This policy framework directly supports the City of Phoenix's Communication Tower Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair Services contract opportunity, which seeks qualified contractors for a five-year term commencing September 1, 2026, ensuring that all tower work performed aligns with established safety standards and certification requirements.
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Text version
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
POLICY/PROCEDURE #: 201
Revision: 4
Title: Tower Safety Effective Date: 6/15/2015
1.0 Purpose:
1.1 Outlines ITS policy on Tower Safety and Rescue for Climbing / Ground Crews involved in the inspection and maintenance of wireless communication installations tower facilities.
2.0 Scope:
2.1 This policy / procedure applies to all ITS employees involved in communications tower maintenance tasks and encompassess all tower and ground type activities.
3.0 Reference / Related Documents
3.1 OSHA Standard 1926.65 App E.
4.0 Policy:
The ITS Management recognizes the trade-craft of climbing towers as hazardous work.
Therefore employee safety, under all circumstances, has first priority.
4.1 Only those employees certified to climb by the ITS Tower Climbing Instructor(s) will be allowed to perform tower climbs
4.2 Ground personnel must be “Ground Support” certified by the ITS Tower Climbing Instructor
4.3 All tower climbers must attend scheduled Safety Meetings.
4.4 All tower climbers must attend scheduled Practical Training sessions (I.E. "Quarterly")
4.5 Climbing Teams will consist of at least (2) certified rescue climbers for tasks considered light maintenance or inspections; (3) certified climbers for tasks deemed above light maintenance/inspections (I.E. Construction)
4.6 Any climbing activities will have the following items in place prior to climbing activities being authorized
4.6.1 Hazard Assessment
4.6.2 Pre-mobilization Plan
4.6.3 Safety Plan/Safety Meeting
4.6.4 Rescue Plan
4.6.5 Equipment Inspections
4.6.6 Declaration of climbing event Foreman
4.7 All climbers will wear and use PFAS equipment as outlined in Policy #203.
4.8 Climbers shall maintain 100% tie off at all times
4.9 All members upon the tower and in the drop zone shall wear hard hats and safety shoes
4.10 Climbers will not “ride the Load Line” or the capstan winch
4.11 All personnel will use discretion when weather conditions become extreme or inclement
4.12 Employees who fail to demonstrate proper safety procedures or proper use of safety equipment shall be decertified and required to attend recertification training. The attendee shall be required to demonstrate proper safety procedures and/or proper use of safety equipment prior to being allowed to climb.
4.13 Active wildlife nests upon a tower structure shall be immediately reported to a supervisor prior to climbing the strucuture. The supervisor shall provide guidance to the climbing team's ability to proceed with the tower climbing event.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
POLICY/PROCEDURE #: 201
Revision: 4
Title: Tower Safety Effective Date: 2/20/2015 DRAFT
5.0 Responsibility:
5.1 The ITS/ Wireless Services Tower Training Instructor is responsible for:
5.1.1 Ensuring all climbers are performing according to climber certification levels
5.1.2 Ensuring all designated ground support personnel are performing according to ground support certification levels
5.2 The "Climbing Event Foreman" is responsible for:
5.2.1 Provide and give direction(s) for the duration of the climbing event.
5.2.2 Address any safety issues that occur for the duration of the climbing event
5.2.3 Possesses the final descision making ability for the duration of the climbing event (I.E. Achieve Quorum)
5.2.4 Assign duties as needed or required for the duration of the climbing event
5.3.1 Participation and adherence to climbing activity safety policies or procedures
5.3.2 Acquire the basic skills neccessary for basic tower climbing safety and rescue according to climber certification levels.
6.0 Records:
6.1 The ITS/Wireless Services certifying instructor shall keep and maintain the following records:
6.1.1 Certification Training & Testing documents
6.1.2 Re-certification Training & Testing documents
5.3 The "Climber" is responsible for:
6.2 The "Climbing Event Foreman" shall keep and maintain the following records:
6.3 The "Climber" shall keep and maintain the following records:
6.2.1 Ensure a Job Hazard Assessment (JHA) is completed for each climbing event
6.2.2 Ensure a Job Hazard Assessment(JHA) is on-site for the duration of the climbing event
6.3.1 Ensure climbing certification credentials are kept current
6.3.2 Maintain climbing certification "log-book"
6.2.3 Ensure tower climber "log-book" is maintained in-conjunction with climbing event
5.4 The ITS Wireless Manager and/or delegate is responsible for:
5.4.1 Monitor tower maintenance activities to ensure all personal or shared safety equipment is properly used and maintained as intended.
5.4.2 Monitor tower maintenance activities to ensure safety policies are followed
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