[BC] Re: Its Up to Us- MAST RESPONSIBILITY

[DHultsman5@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/30/06 11:32:36 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
chuck at akpb.org writes:


I  cannot believe that an unqualified, untrained person was allowed to  drive
the truck.  I cannot believe that the truck mast was not  interlocked to the
vehicle ignition.




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I can't believe any engineer would allow a mast to not have the ignition  
interlock installed.  It has happened too many times.   TV  Networks and 
stations, due to lawsuits, have all instituted training for the  use, movement of vans 
and the operation of masts in a power line  environment.
 
SAFETY has to be primary over the programing in ALL CASES.  Will-Burt  now 
has a proximity sensor that will signal you if the mast is near a power  line.  
Idiots don't pay attention.  You can have all the best  intentions with 
interlocks on the starter sensors for the power lines, but if  you don't have a 
learning procedure and enforcement you, your station, and  management are wide 
open for a lawsuit.
 
How many of you have several trucks,  and a pile of broken or bent  masts?  
That is a danger sign.  Locally a young lady was doing a  remote, drove the van 
to the site raised the mast to about 45 feet,  tested  with the studio and 
then the event coordinator asked her to move the van a few  feet,  down came a 
mast with two yagi antennas.  Fortunately the only  damage was the mast and 
antennas.  No one was impaled or injured.  The  truck had damage and the $4000.00 
mast was ruined.  They also lost the  remote broadcast.
 
How many time do we have to talk about these things before we do  something 
about them?
 
SAFETY IS PRIMARY TO THE DRIVER, TALENT AND PUBLIC.    Do  your part.  There 
have been all types of articles in Radio World, BE Radio  and there are 
several safety programs available.  I am certain that  Will-Burt and Hilo Mast and 
any other supplier will be happy to supply you  references.  Any Radio Groupie 
van driver should have to read this  information and be fully educated,  
tested and sign a release and  acknowledgement of his responsibilities before being 
able to drive a van with a  mast.
 
The west coast incident where two people were seriously hurt, one  
permanently disabled is tragic.
 
If any of this applys at your station please do something to solve the  
problem.  It should involve management, PD's,  Promotion Directors and  the actual 
drivers.
 
Dave Hultsman