[BC] Transmitter Safety

[Mike Pluta]

As I recall from my OSHA training (meager as it is), an employer has
liability for training and disclosure.  If the employee ignores the
training, that's not the employer's fault.

With regard to what we do as radio engineers, the training should
include lock out / tag out procedures, rf safety training and hazmat
training.  If you have sealed buildings (ie only one door and no
windows) add enclosed spaces training and if you climb, add all of those
goodies too.

It's a dangerous world out there... I'm sure there's an OSHA reg for
licking stamps and mitigating paper cuts too...

Mike Pluta (mike at nrcbroadcasting.com)


-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Xmitters at aol.com
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 2:30 AM
To: broadcast at radiolists.net
Subject: [BC] Transmitter Safety



Hello:

What are the laws regarding an employer's responsibility to protect
their employees from electrocution?

I know of many who do midnight transmitter work alone. Others will have
a second person available who is not trained in CPR.

It seems reasonable that the law would REQUIRE that an employee not be
allowed to work on lethal voltage equipment alone or with an unprepared
helper.

It also seems to me that the employer could be sured by my estate for
wrongful death, and win, if I get killed because proper safety
precautions were not taken by my employer. What is the employer's
binding responsibility for my safety?

Fortunately in my case, my wife accompanies me on transmitter
maintenance. 
She is a RN, annually recertified for CPR, and she knows where all of
the important circuit breakers are at the site :-) Unfortunately, there
are still times when I'm working alone.

 I could probably insist that there always be someone with me when I
open up the transmitter, but what good would that person be if he/she
were not properly trained in CPR? My Tx site is 20 minutes away from the
nearest rescue squad. 
Permanent brain damage sets in after 5 minutes without oxegen. Even if
all that person could do was to call 911; I would be a goner.

Jeff Glass
Dell 2650 Win2000 AOL 7.0


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