The National Association of Tower Erectors has released guidelines concerning operation of gin poles safely. Gin poles are portable boom-like structures used in building or repairing towers.
Entitled “NATE Training Guidelines for Working on Communication and Similar Structures with a Gin Pole and Associated Equipment,” it provides, “minimum worker training guidelines which are required for gin pole use for work relating to the installation, alteration and maintenance of communications structures.”
NATE Chairwoman Pat Cipov said, “Many tower contractors utilize gin poles on a daily basis and it is important that the guidelines outlined in this resource are adhered to in order to create a safe work environment when utilizing this equipment on tower sites.”
Ernie Jones of Consolidated Engineering, said, “This guide starts with reasonable industry expected prerequisite training and ends with a field verification process to provide a complete package for responsible and knowledgeable users of gin poles.”
Jones, along with Don Doty of Velocitel, Gordon Lyman of Safety LMSystems and the NATE Board of Directors, put the guidelines together.
