The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has released a Capstan Hoist & Rigging Safety Video as part of the Association’s Climber Connection campaign. NATE unveiled the video at the 2016 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Nev.
The video highlights practical safety tips for selecting and utilizing capstan hoists. Additionally, the video footage includes a testimonial from a tower climber discussing the importance of performing function tests on the capstan hoist, checking the capstan hoist manufacturer’s guidelines before each use and emphasizing rigging best practices. The video also includes breathtaking aerial views of tower climbers utilizing a capstan hoist to lift antenna equipment to the designated location near the top of a monopole cellular tower.
“Proper training, rigging and respect of the capstan are essential for its safe operation, said Justin Pitts, the Safety Director at East Coast Communications in Gorham, Maine. “It’s one of the cellular industry’s greatest tools when anchored and used correctly. The ‘cathead’ turns, what could be a very laborious endeavor, into added muscle and time for other tasks,” said Pitts.”
NATE encourages tower climbers and all wireless industry stakeholders to actively participate in this campaign by posting the Capstan Hoist & Rigging video on their respective social networking platforms using the hash tag #ClimberConnection. NATE also encourages tower climbers to share their personal capstan hoist and rigging safety tips through social interaction on the Association’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Climber Connection campaign was developed by the NATE Member Services Committee in conjunction with the NATE Safety & Education Committee and is designed to provide specific resources and communicate the Association’s message directly to the industry’s elevated workforce. A central element of the campaign is the official release of twelve Climber Connection safety videos; each focused on a unique safety topic or issue involving working at heights.
NATE has also produced a PPE Inspection and 100% Tie-Off video.