UFC 3-560-01
6 December 2006
Including change 1, 7 December 2006
10-5.1.1 Make sure each worker who is authorized to climb has a full set of climbing
equipment. Never loan or borrow a set of climbing equipment.
10-5.1.2 Carefully inspect climbing equipment before each day's climbing activities.
Examine leather for cuts, cracks, and enlarged buckle tongue holes. Examine metal
parts for cracks, wear, or loose attachments. Examine climbers (gaffs) for proper
cutting edges, length, and shape.
10-5.1.3 The authorized individual-in-charge, or a designated worker, must inspect all
tools, safety devices, and other equipment in use on a weekly basis. Any item that is
not considered safe must be condemned, regardless of ownership, and must not be
used.
10-5.1.4 Ensure that employees understand that fabricated or purchased fall protection
must meet or exceed the requirements outlined in ANSI Z359, Safety Requirements for
Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Components, and with ASTM F887.04,
Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment. Body harnesses, meeting
the requirements of ANSI Z359, with straps or lanyards, must be worn to protect
personnel working at elevated locations on bucket trucks, towers, platforms, and other
structures. Body harnesses may be worn but are not required on poles (however a
body belt and pole strap must be used while on the pole). Inspect body harnesses and
straps before use each day to determine they are in safe working condition.
10-5.1.5 Use body harnesses instead body belts for fall protection.
10-5.2
Wooden Pole Climbing Equipment. Equipment sets each consist of a body
belt (or body harness), a pole strap, and climbers (an assembly of gaffs, leg straps, and
pads). The Edison Electric Institute provides an excellent document entitled "Use and
Care of Pole Climbing Equipment" which is appropriate for use in training for pole
climbing certification.
10-5.2.1 Climbers must meet the following requirements:
Leg iron (shank) to be made of spring steel.
Gaff (spur) to be forged from tool steel.
Leg iron length must be in the range from 15 to 18 in (381 to 457 mm)
from the instep to end of the shank.
Leather straps must be at least 1-1/4 in (32 mm) wide and 22 in (559 mm)
long.
Pads must adequately protect the calves.
10-14
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