In addition to the definitions set forth in 29 CFR Part 1910 and 29 CFR Part 1926, the following definitions apply throughout the rules in this Section:
(1) Acceptable Conditions for Access mean the conditions that must exist before the employer grants permission for construction, alteration, repair or maintenance work to be performed on a communication tower. These conditions include the following:
(a) Work under the control of a work safety program meeting the requirements of the Rules in this Section; and,
(b) Work where an accumulation of snow, ice or other slippery material is not present, except as necessary for the inspection or removal of such material;
(c) Notwithstanding the prohibitions outlined in Sub-item (1)(b) of this Rule, if tower emergency maintenance work must be performed where there is an accumulation of snow, ice or other slippery material, the employer shall implement safe work practices (equipment, practices and procedures) that address the hazards known to be associated with tower work to minimize the associated risk to employees while working on the tower structure and the support structure to which it is affixed, where applicable.
(2) Climbing Facility means a component specifically designed or provided to permit access to the tower structure, such as a fixed ladder, step bolt, or other structural member.
(3) Competent Person means a person who is trained to identify existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization from his employer to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them, including halting the work as required by the rules in this Section.
(4) Elevated (High Angle) Rescue means the process by which methods and equipment are utilized in order to gain access to and egress from the location of an injured employee(s) on the tower structure, and lower both the injured employee(s) and the rescuer(s) to the ground safely.
(5) Fall Protection Equipment means the personal equipment that employees utilize in conjunction with 100% fall protection systems, including connectors, body belts or body harnesses, lanyards and deceleration devices.
(6) Ladder Safety System means an assembly of components whose function is to arrest the fall of a user, including the carrier and its associated attachment elements (e.g., brackets, fasteners), the safety sleeve, and the body support and connectors, wherein the carrier is permanently attached to the climbing face of the ladder or immediately adjacent to the structure.
(7) One-Hundred Percent (100%) Fall Protection means each employee exposed to fall hazards above six (6) feet while ascending, descending, or moving point to point, must be protected by fall protection, as described in 13 NCAC 07F .0605(c), at all times.
(8) Qualified Climber means a person who has, by virtue of knowledge, training, and experience, been deemed qualified in writing by his employer to perform tower work.
(9) Qualified Person means a person possessing a degree, certificate, professional standing, or knowledge, training, and experience in the field of communication tower work, and who has demonstrated to his employer his ability to resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
(10) Safety Sleeve means the part of a ladder safety system consisting of the moving component with locking mechanism that travels on the carrier and makes the connection between the carrier and the body support.
(11) Site means the communication tower and the surrounding land or property where tower work is being performed.
(12) Step Bolt means a bolt or rung attached at intervals along a structural member and used for foot placement during climbing or standing.
(13) Tower Construction means the building of a new tower or structure, or the installation of new equipment on an existing tower or structure.
(14) Tower Emergency Maintenance Work means the repair, restoration or replacement of any pre-existing device installed on the tower in the interest of public safety, such as, aviation signaling devices and equipment used to transmit or receive broadcast signals.
(15) Tower Inspection means the procedure in which an employee(s) climb(s) or ride(s) the structure's elevator to visually inspect the tower for potential problems, and test for tower plumbness and guy cable tension.
(16) Tower Maintenance Work means the replacement in kind of any device on an existing tower, the repair of existing equipment, and painting.
History Note: Authority G.S. 95-131;
Eff. February 1, 2005;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2006;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 1, 2016.