Subj : Safety In The Shack
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Mon Jan 01 2018 07:46 pm
SAFETY - IN AND OUT OF THE SHACK
================================
Many take it for granted, but SAFETY in and out of the ham radio
shack, can literally mean the difference between life and death.
These simple tasks can keep you from becoming a statistic, as an
injury, or a fatality (Silent Key).
1) Don't work alone, in the shack or elsewhere. If something happens,
you may not be found until after you're injured (you likely will
be too injured to call for help), or after you're dead.
2) Have safety gear for you, and all involved, along with a First Aid
Kit, and someone nearby to render aid, or to call 911, if needed.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should only be administered
by those with proper training.
In the latter case, critical seconds can literally mean the
difference between life and death.
One person should be the "safety officer", to just WATCH with a
close, observant eye, for anything that could lead to major
safety issues, etc., and be ready to take action on a moments
notice. This should be the case during Field Day Setup/Tear-Down,
or otherwise.
3) Have a fire extinguisher, defibrillator, and an emergency shut-off
switch in the shack. Make sure that the fire extinguisher is for
CLASS A-B-C fires (wood, paper, textiles, rubbish/flammable liquids/
electrical), and that it is sufficiently charged and ready for use
in an emergency. Fires can spread quickly if proper fuels for it are
availablle.
4) Do NOT store flammable liquids, including gasoline (i.e. for power
generators) in the shack. If you have these, they should be placed
in approved containers in approved storage areas. In those areas
do NOT smoke or use any open flames!!
5) If you smell gas in the shack, get to the shut off valve, and turn
it off. Evacuate everyone from the property, and call the Fire
Department and the Gas Company. Do not re-enter the structure
until it has been checked for safety. One spark or open flame
could trigger a fiery, fatal, huge, explosion.
6) Never refill the tank of a generator while it is running. Turn it
off, and let it cool down considerably, before refueling it. Then,
let any spill residue evaporate, before restarting the generator.
7) Never run the generator in an enclosed space. The unit will produce
deadly carbon monoxide fumes that are colorless, odorless, and
tasteless; and inhaling these over even a short period of time
will cause either serious illness or death.
8) Have an EMERGENCY EXIT out of the shack, and make sure that it is
NOT blocked, in case you need to exit the shack quickly.
9) Beware of used towers and gear, which may have hidden defects.
Most hams will not give others "a bum steer", but there are
some who are willing to make a quick buck on a useless item,
basically "a worthless boat anchor doorstop". In short "you get
what you pay for". It's best to buy "fresh tower", as it were,
even if it costs more.
10) Towers should have sufficient guy wire support, the capacity
for the planned antennas, and good soil conditions to hold
the tower in place. This also includes the weight of the tower
climber. If the climber is too heavy, the risk of falling off
the tower increases. In short, people who are overweight, or
with other health issues, should NOT climb towers!! If you have
to hire a professional to do it, do so.
11) Keep unauthorized people AWAY from the tower. Use fencing, tall
barbed wire, graphic warning signs, etc., and other restrictive
items. If someone gets injured, they could sue you for everything
you have...monetary and otherwise.
12) Cancel ALL tower work if there is any threat of thunderstorms.
Lightning can strike as much as 20 to even 200 miles away from
the parent thunderstorm, and that tower is just one big
lightning rod. If you are on it, and the tower is struck,
you could be fatally electrocuted.
13) Be sure that all shack equipment is insulated and grounded.
Unplug all gear, and disconnect all antennas during
thunderstorms, whether in or near your area.
The U.S. Storm Prediction Center has "Convective Outlooks" where
at least 10% coverage of thunderstorms is expected. However,
thunderstorms can form outside of this coverage area...especially
during the heat of day in the summer. Check with the forecast
from your area National Weather Service or Meteorological Agency
for the forecast of thunderstorms in your area.
14) Check with local building codes, have all the needed tools
before starting work, and be sure enough help is on hand for
the project. Make sure that you have acquired all of the proper
permits, paid the appropriate fees, etc. If not, you could be
in trouble with local officials.
15) Those living in areas with Covenants, Creeds, and Restrictions
(CC&R's) may NOT be allowed to erect outdoor antennas...plus,
indoor antenna setup may be restricted, if not prohibited
altogether. PRB-1 does NOT cover these CC&R's. Check the
paperwork BEFORE you sign any kind of lease agreement.
While the Amateur Radio Parity Act is moving through Congress,
there's no guarantee that it'll pass. But, even if it does, that
likely will NOT give carte' blanche' to hams to do whatever they
want with towers, etc.
16) Avoid placement near power lines at all costs. If the tower
tilts and comes in contact with a power line, anyone on or
near the tower, will be fatally electrocuted.
17) If attaching antennas to a structure, make sure the structure is
sturdy enough to hold it. You don't want the antenna in a severe
storm coming down, taking the side off of a structure...let alone
power lines. The lines on the ground could start a fire.
18) Wear gloves and other safety gear as you climb the tower. In
the daytime, especially in summer heat, the metal of the tower
will become very HOT, and severe burns can result if your arms,
hands, feet, are not protected.
19) Have adequate eye protection when working in the shack, or on a
tower. You don't want to have debris from solder, electronics,
or otherwise in your eyes...or intense light from the sun off of
metal surfaces outside. Either way, you could lose your eyesight
in a hurry.
20) Do NOT eat or drink food in the shack if working on equipment.
Ingesting things could cause violent illness or death. Outside,
save all food and drink for "on the ground", and AFTER tower
work is completed.
21) Have plenty of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages for
hydration if working outside. Both caffeine and alcohol will
dehydrate you quickly. The heat coming off of the tower, combined
with the hot sun, will combine with dehydration to "rock your
world in a bad way". Save the "adult beverages" until AFTER
all tower work is FINISHED.
22) If there is a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Watch, or Excessive
Heat Warning in effect for the area, CANCEL any and all tower
work...treating it like a day with thunderstorm potential. Hot
temperatures can lead to heat illness, heat exhaustion, and
potential heat stroke; the latter can be fatal, if medical help
is not summoned promptly.
23) Do NOT place the tower where insects or reptiles may be a problem.
Stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, etc. may
build their nests near or on the towers. Also, watch for fire ant
mounds, and snakes. Stings or bites will be very painful, and in
some cases, fatal, if prompt medical attention is not obtained.
24) Make sure your insurance policy is adequate. Increase coverages
if necessary. This will benefit you in case of an accident, or
if someone files a lawsuit for damages.
25) Owners of towers more than 200 feet high, that are near or at a
public use airport, must notify the FAA, plus the FCC...and must
have proper lightning on the tower.
26) Be sure that all power is OFF, and all circuits are DISCHARGED,
before working on them. Do NOT have anything metal on, such as
jewelry, belts, etc., that could complete an electrical circuit
through you. If you don't know what you're doing, send it to a
ham radio dealer for servicing. The cost incurred for repair is
not worth paying with the price of your life!! As little as 1
amp (1000 milliamps) of electricity, if even that, can be fatal!!
With some of the gear nowadays, it's cheaper to throw it in the
trash, if it quits working, and buy a replacement rig...rather
than send it off for repairs.
27) If sending gear off for repairs, send it to a reputable dealer.
Area hams may mean well, and try to save you some money, but if
they make one wrong wiring deal, it could set your shack ablaze,
or even injure or kill you when you turn it in.
28) Keep people and pets away from RF Output. An RF safety evaluation
is REQUIRED above certain levels, and it varies by band. Do NOT
touch antennas while transmitting, as you can get a nasty RF burn,
which is quite painful upon infliction, and it will take a
considerable amount of time to heal.
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