Many wireless operators, tower sites and even
state entities have begun to utilize specific policies when installing
RFR safety signs on their sites. These policies are based on the
OSHA 1910.145 standard and recent FCC and OSHA enforcements such
as:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2007/DA-07-549A1.html
AND
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2007/DA-07-2138A1.html
Anytime a worker is in an area above the written standard, they
are in danger of potential RF exposure. Workers must know before
they go into an area of a potential existing RF hazards and must
be warned so they can work safely around the hazard. This also requires
a working site safety plan and proper lockout/tag out procedure
along with safety signage.
Signage can only be installed after a thorough RF assessment has
been conducted to determine what areas should be categorized as
“Above Controlled limits” or “Above Uncontrolled
limits” areas. Improper signage can risk FCC and OSHA violations.
FCC and OSHA workers will ask for assessment reports when inspecting
a site, especially upon seeing signage posted.
Other standards to follow are:
OSHA CFR 1926.200 (a) states that signs shall be visible at all
times & shall be removed when the hazard no longer exists and
the ANSI standard for signs: The Signal Word shall be a 2”
letter visible @ (300”) 25’.
Color Coding Explained:
BLUE is a notice.
In an area with a blue sign, levels MAY exceed the FCC Uncontrolled/General
Population limits at times. There shall be no trespassing on this
site and owners should note there may still be a possibility of
RF leaks, temporary spiking in RF levels and a need of other signage
to warn of potentially higher levels or other hazards.
OSHA CFR 1910.145
YELLOW is a caution
area.
(i) Caution signs shall be used only to warn against potential hazards
or to caution against unsafe practices.
RSI NOTE: The Uncontrolled Limit is OSHA's action limit. Note: This
area is above the general public standard and you must be trained
to work in this area under caution.
WARNING (DANGER) SIGNS ARE RED.
(i) There shall be no variation in the type of design of signs posted
to warn of specific dangers and radiation hazards.
RSI NOTE: Above the Controlled Worker Standard. You can not stay
in this area for more than six minutes at 100% exposure. The time
is only three minutes at 200%.
RSI offers online courses for signage for both general and telecommunications
industries. (ESIH-53 “Signs and Tags” and TCS-123 “Site
and Tower Signage”) See our online courses for Lockout/Tag
out Procedure for both general and telecommunications industries
(ESIH-45 “Lockout/Tag Out Policy and Procedure” and
TCS-113 “Electrical Hazards and Lockout/Tag Out Telecom Sites”)
Live seminars also cover the signage and lockout/ tag out policy
and procedures, email info@rsicorp.com
or call toll free at (888) 830-5648 to speak with an experienced
training consultant regarding live seminars in your area.
*These sign policies are based on FCC and OSHA signage enforcement
(Consensus standards).
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New
6418
Warning Sign
Now Available! |
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Notice, Caution
and Warning signs
Now Available in Spanish! |
FCC & OSHA Signage Enforcement:
$20,000
RF safety New
Yellowstone
RSI RF Site Signage shall be used as an integral part of an overall
site compliance plan. We recommend that should your site require
the posting of signage, all personnel that find it necessary to
pass the point of the posted "CAUTION" or "WARNING" signage shall
be trained in how to control their exposure to RF energy as part
of an overall written safety program (per FCC/OSHA recommendations).
Ideally, signage shall only be installed after a thorough RF
assessment has been conducted to determine what areas should
be categorized as "Above Controlled/Occupational limits" or "Above
Uncontrolled limits" areas. NOTICE: Be sure that you do not post
the signs on the doors or gates as if they are in the open position
they may be rendered inconspicuous.
Information Per (OSHA CFR Part 1910)
§ 1910.145 Specifications for accident prevention signs and
tags.
(a) Scope. (1) These specifications apply to the design, application,
and use of signs or symbols intended to indicate and, insofar as
possible, to define specific hazards of a nature such that failure
to designate them may lead to accidental injury to workers or the
public, or both, or to property damage. These specifications are
intended to cover all safety signs except those designed for streets,
highways, railroads, and marine regulations.
(2) All new signs and replacements of old signs shall be in accordance
with these specifications.
(c) Classification of signs according to use -- (1) Danger signs
(Red). (i) There shall be no variation in the type of design of
signs posted to warn of specific dangers and radiation hazards.
NOTE: Above the Controlled Worker Standard.
(2) Danger signs(WARNING signs). The colors red, black, and white
shall be opaque & glossy.
(ii) All employees shall be instructed that danger signs indicate
immediate danger and that special precautions are necessary.(ie
safety plans and training)
(2) Caution signs. (i) Caution signs shall be used only to warn
against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices.
NOTE: The Uncontrolled Limit is OSHA's action limit.
(ii) All employees shall be instructed that caution signs indicate
a possible hazard against which proper precaution should be taken.
RSI 6401 is designed to remind workers
of safe work practices in and around an antenna site. They should
be used in conjunction with one or more RF Awareness signs. These
signs shall be placed at the site entrance at sites that have in
place an RF safety program specific to that site. These signs are
11" x 8.5" in
size. 6401D is a vinyl decal with full self-adhesive back for mounting.
6401P is made of a .005 Polyethylene with rounded corners and holes
for mounting Chinese/Spanish Version Now Available!
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RSI 6403 blue "NOTICE" signs shall be
posted at the point of access to the site such as at the site entrance
gate or near the door to the equipment rooms, as under certain circumstances
the RF emissions at the site or in the equipment room MAY exceed
the uncontrolled/general population exposure limits. Less than 20%
of the Controlled Worker Standard. 6403 is 12" x 18" in
size. 6403.5 is 8.5" x 11" in size. These signs are made
of a .005 Polyethylene with rounded corners and holes for mounting.
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RSI 6404 yellow "CAUTION" signs shall
be posted in areas where the RF assessment has determined RF emissions
exceed the FCC Uncontrolled/General Population exposure limits.
These may include areas such as at the bases of communications towers
where if personnel were to climb may find themselves in RF fields
that exceed the FCC Uncontrolled/General Population limits, but
are less than the Controlled/Occupational limits. 20-99% of the
Controlled Worker Standard. Note: OSHA has stated that the uncontrolled
criteria is the action limit for which a safety program should be
implemented.(Potential Hazards) This sign is 12" x 18"
in size and is made of a .005 Polyethylene with rounded corners
and holes for mounting.
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RSI 6405 red "WARNING" (OSHA Danger) signs
shall be posted in advance of the areas that have been determined
to have RF emissions levels that exceed the Controlled/Occupational
RF limits or borderline Controlled-Occupational/ Above Controlled
areas.(Danger Areas Above the Standard) This would include those
areas with high power broadcast or paging or areas within a few
feet of most other antennas. Note: Personnel that require access
to areas where the RF emissions exceed the controlled limits shall
have a higher level of training in how to control their exposure
and limit excursions into the field to 6 minutes for 100% controlled
limits, 2 minutes for 300% controlled limits, and 1 minute for 600%
controlled limits. An RF safety plan with training is mandated for
these environments. 100% or over the Controlled Worker Standard.
This sign is 12" x 18" in size and is made of a .005 Polyethylene
with rounded corners and holes for mounting.
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RSI 6407 red "WARNING" (OSHA Danger) signs
shall be placed at any sites with the potential for induced current,
i.e. broadcasting sites or industrial facilities with RF heating
equipment.(Danger Areas) This sign is 12" x 18" in size
and is made of a .005 Polyethylene with rounded corners and holes
for mounting.
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RSI 6410 FCC Tower Registration Number:
The posting should take place no later than the time at which lighting
of the structure is first required. 47 C.F.R. 17.4 (g) States that
the structure registration numbers must be displayed. Your group
should ask "is this readily visible to someone who doesn't have
access to the site?" If a location is conspicuous enough to post
a "No Trespassing" sign or the owner's name and logo, then it is
likely an appropriate place to post the Registration Number. $5
additional charge per sign per contact phone number. This sign is
18" x 12" in size and is made of a .005 Polyethylene with
rounded corners and holes for mounting.
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RSI 6412 Competent Climbers Only blue
"NOTICE" signs should be posted at any tower or structure
which requires climbing. OSHA requires being tied off for all structures
over six feet. 6412 is 12" x 18" in size. 6412.5 is 8.5"
x 11" in size. These signs are made of a .005 Polyethylene
with rounded corners and holes for mounting.
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RSI 6418 red "WARNING"
signs should be placed on any tower or structure below the areas
that have been determined to have RF emissions levels that exceed
the Controlled/Occupational RF limits or borderline Controlled-Occupational/Above
Controlled areas. 100% or over the Controlled Worker Standard. This
sign is 12" x 18" in size and is made of a .005 Polyethylene
with rounded corners and holes for mounting.
^ Top ^
The FCC has visited this site, and it has proper signage.
For additional signs or for other RF compliance
services,
call RSI at 1-888-830-5648 today!
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