[BC] Transmitter safety

[John Lyles]

At work (particle factory) we have written policies now, that require 
a second person when even just opening up a HV power supply for 
maintenance. Once the caps have been gone over with a shorting stick, 
and the incoming AC lines are not only locked out, tagged, but 
verified to be zero voltage, the second person doesn't have to be 
present. But if testing is needed, with doors open, then we have not 
only to produce a second person, but to have a special written policy 
for that one particular job. We are now discouraged to do energized 
testing, reaching within the boundaries of a cabinet with certain 
specified minimum limits on energy, voltage, arc flash potential. 
What that means is that we try to shut off, safe the thing, then 
install probes and meters, bringing them outside the door, close it 
up and turn it on, to troubleshoot. It is difficult but not 
impossible. When we must have the doors open, the area is roped off, 
at least one other second person must be there, as a sa!
  fety
watch and to prevent idiots from stumbling in. Even so, we are never 
allowed to reach inside to move a probe while the system is 
energized. It must be shut down, locked out. The second person, in 
many cases, doesn't have to be an authorized RF worker, but they must 
be annually trained in CPR and now AEDs. We now have an Automatic 
Electronic Defibrillator near each large capacitor vault.

Of course, this is a government-owned facility, so one might expect 
things to lean towards more beaurocracy; it is also heavily 
OSHA-compliant. In some ways I wish for more freedom to do as I used 
to as a broadcast engineer and BC transmitter designer. BUT, with 
80-100 kilojoule capacitor vaults and very high voltages, I do 
appreciate the rigidness of administrative and engineering controls 
to prevent HV accidents. In broadcasting, the bottom line is air 
time, and if this means a dead channel, then management shakes. In 
our facility, the same used to happen, as they would claim such and 
such a value for systems being up and running. However, due to 
repeated spankings by Congress and various gov't agencies from 
accidents and close calls not only here but at other facilities, we 
now err on the side of safety, which runs up the cost of safety 
policy and time to execute work, but keeps people alive longer.

At home i do have the freedom to die if i fumble with my hobbies and 
chores, ham radio, auto repair, home repair. That frightens me a bit 
now, getting used to the safety climate at work. I am not sure what I 
would do in a radio or TV transmitter site. Pray? Its too bad that 
deregulation has led to decreasing technical staff and spending, 
which leaves worker safety short-shifted. I would love to hear of 
changes in this direction, as Jeff questions. OSHA has laws, but I 
believe that many industries tend to ignore them and hope for good 
luck, until something wrong happens. Then usually heads roll, fines 
are paid, and someone may die as the result. How do larger groups and 
networks handle this now?

John Lyles