Telecoms Climber Training

Our Advanced Climber course provides delegates with a detailed knowledge of climbing pylons and lattice structures. It provides two days of practical climbing experience on protected and unprotected structures where delegates will learn to work safely in a variety of exposed locations.

The Advanced Climber course also includes a theory session covering the Working at Height Regulations, risk assessments, relevant legislation, hazards and control methods. This knowledge is then demonstrated practically on our indoor and outdoor towers by a qualified instructor.

The delegates are taught pre-use inspections of PPE before being shown how to correctly don it, after which they progress to our 30m telecommunication tower.

Delegates will be taught fall arrest climbing techniques using a variety of equipment. The course also covers the use of positional work equipment.

The training starts at lower levels progressing to the full height of the tower. This gives both new climbers and experienced climbers the best chance of passing. On successful completion of the course the delegate will be deemed competent in advanced climbing and certification will be issued.

This course is Arqiva approved.

Our Tower Rescue course is a practical course that gives delegates the knowledge and confidence to carry out a rescue of a fallen or injured climber from a tower, mast or pylon. Our training is specifically targeted at those who are working on Masts & Towers usually in telecoms and utilities industries, and are experienced climbers, familiar with fall arrest techniques.

The course covers introduction to the Tower Rescue kit, selection of suitable anchor points, self rescue, rescue of a conscious injured climber, rescue of an unconscious injured climber, causes and effects of suspension syncope and casualty care.

Successful candidates will be issused with certification valid for one year.

Our training centre boasts impressive practical training facilities which allow training to continue in a safe and realistic environment whatever the weather. Structures include a 30m telecommunications tower, combined with an aerial rigging and lifting area, 2 separate towers (15 and 20m) perfect for training courses such as the Tower Rescue course.

This course is Arqiva approved.

Aerial rigging and lifting training is aimed at personnel who are required to lift and lower light loads (below 100kg) in a controlled manner.

Although predominately aimed at installation and removal of telecommunication equipment on lattice structures and pylons the skills obtained are easily transferable across most industries.

Our Aerial rigging course provides delegates with a detailed knowledge of all aspects of light lifting and rigging. Over two days delegates will learn about the legislation covering rigging and working at height, risk assessments, safe working loads of equipment and rigging angles.

The practical content covers selection and inspection of suitable equipment and anchor points, ropes and knots and mechanical advantages. During the course the delegates will gain the knowledge to be able to select the appropriate method of lifting and lowering using self-tagging or tensioned cableways and the requirements for incorporating a braking system. The course covers installation and removal of metalwork and antenna on a variety of structures with accuracy and control and structure to structure transfers at height.

On successful completion of the course the delegate will be deemed competent in aerial rigging techniques and certification will be issued.

Candidates must hold current valid advanced climber certification.

What is Radio Frequency Radiation?

Radio Frequency radiation (RF) is electromagnetic radiation, fields and waves in the frequency range 0-300GHz. RF radiation is also referred to in guidance and standards as electromagnetic fields (EMF).

Safety Guidelines and directives

•    NRPB Volume 4 No5 1993
•    ICNIRP 1998
•    NRPB Volume 15 No.2 2004
•    Directive 2004/40/EC, The Occupational EMF Directive
•    Ministry of Defence JSP Documents
•    Health and safety at work  ACT 1974
•    Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

EMF Radiation can be classified into 2 types ionizing and non-ionizing depending on its capability of ionizing atoms and breaking chemical bonds.
 
Effects on the Human Body - Direct & Indirect

    Direct - very high levels of exposure

    Hyperthermia - ‘heat exhaustion’. Subjects may   feel hot, sweat and have an increased pulse rate. Headache, nausea & vomiting may follow.
    Eye Damage - formation of cataracts
    Testes - Reduction of sperm count

    Indirect

    Effects on implanted devices e.g. pacemakers
    Contact currents

There are many factors that affect absorption into the human body e.g.

    Dielectric Composition
    Size of the Body
    Shape, Orientation and Polarisation
    Exposure Environment
    Time Intensity Factors

The effects are often likened to flu like symptoms.

Where is it found?

RF is emitted from Radio Antennae found on most communications masts and rooftops where antennas and mobile phone masts are found. 

You will be unaware that you are being subjected to RF and a monitor must be worn in the vicinity of RF hazards.