Working On/Near Telecommunications Towers

Before carrying out work with exposure to RF fields applicable to continuous wave (CW), pulsed and modulated electromagnetic fields at single or multiple frequencies within the range 3 kHz to 300 GHz, or working close to base stations, buildings or other facilities with radio transmitting antennas, managers and workers must access safety information about the location at which they are going to be carrying out work. Workers should;

• Use the Radio Frequency National Site Archive (RFNSA) to search for Australian Mobile Network base stations to find Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Reports, site locations, carrier contact details for existing sites and community consultation information for new sites.

• Use the online 'Mobile Site Safety tool' before accessing a building rooftop, tower or another facility with mobile base station antennas

Supervisors/workers must review the information in the above tools before working on or near an RF transmitter or antenna or,

• if working near a small cell mounted on a pole or small structure not listed in the online resources, Contact the carrier or structure owner

• If mounted on a building, contact the building owner

Note: if the transmitter licensee is not shown on the RFNSA or MobileSiteSafety App, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) register of radio licenses can assist in identifying the correct licence holder so contact may be made.

Implement a Falls Emergency Rescue Plan

Amend the plan if conditions of the work change in a way that could affect a rescue/response

• Trained first aid providers must be available on site

• Ensure a reliable means to contact emergency services is available.

Check weather conditions – do not work in extreme conditions

Reschedule works to work in more moderate temperatures.

Ensure that workers trained to recognise the symptoms of hyperthermia and hypothermia

Hot conditions. Ensure:

• Suitable protective clothing

• Sun brim on hard hats

• Safety glasses - UV rated

• Use 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin

• Adequate drinking water

• Access to shade on breaks

• Adequate breaks.

Cold conditions. Ensure:

• Schedule warm-up breaks

• Hold breaks inside

• Dress warmly in layers

• Stay dry (wet clothing chills the body rapidly)

• Workers must get out of the cold as soon as they can if starting to feel symptoms

• Alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and certain medications increase susceptibility to cold.

Implement communication, emergency response and incident management procedures that reflect the remote conditions and address operational needs

Personnel trained to use the equipment.

A 'Buddy' system should always be used when working in remote areas. Ensure:

• GPS locator on relevant vehicles

• Mobile phone (where service is available in the work area, pre-programmed with emergency numbers)

• Satellite phones and EPIRB are fit for purpose, tested before departure & phones have spare, fully charged batteries and facilities for continuous charging.

Communication and check-in protocols developed and used.

Where the Risk Assessment has identified high-risk tasks, the 'buddy' system may be utilised where a second person's presence is required at all times

Where serious consequence is possible, do not expose both people to the hazard simultaneously. The second person should be within sight, but safely removed from the immediate area

The 'buddy' must be trained in the specific activities the worker he/she is observing for is undertaking

The buddy must be properly equipped with emergency equipment and be capable of undertaking pre-planned rescue or emergency operations where needed and it is safe to do so.