PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-686

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 686

JANUARY 2010
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-686 - Page 24 of 33
44
PS 686
JAN 10
1.
Before you
connect the Frst
piece or drive the
Frst stake in the
ground, know each
and every caution
and warning in the
antenna technical
manual. Then, do
what they tell you to
do and don’t do what
they tell you not to
do. And keep your
TMs close at hand.
2.
Always wear
protection. That
includes safety
goggles, a helmet
and gloves. A poke
in the eye; a bash on
the head; smashed
hands, burned palms
and pinched Fngers
are the most common
injuries that occur
when an antenna is
being erected.
3.
Do not erect an antenna in the immediate vicinity of
power lines. Treat all unknown lines, wires and cables as
if they were power lines. If you must erect in an area with
unknown lines, Fnd out what they are, Frst.
4.
Know your guys! Check all guy wires and fasteners for
wear and damage before your erection mission. Do not use
a damaged guy wire.
5.
Mark your guys! You must put signs or streamers or
both on your guy wires to keep Soldiers from tripping over
them. A trip can cause an injury and rip the guy wire from
the ground, bringing down the antenna.
6.
Keep your guys from crossing
roadways and other paths of travel. If
an antenna location forces you to stretch
a guy wire across a path, walkway or
roadway and you can’t put the antenna
anywhere else, close the path and make
that closure obvious.
9.
Ground the mast and antenna just
like your technical manual tells you.
Don’t cut corners.
7
. Don’t mix antenna parts. Even if
you can make it Ft or make do, don’t!
Order replacement parts and keep the
structural integrity of your antennas and
masts.
8.
Don’t modify your antenna. Use
only the equipment speciFed in your
technical manual. Too many of you are
adapting your antennas to the situation
and making hazards in the process. Yes,
sometimes wartime measures apply, but
make sure you have your commander’s
approval and that you have thought
through all the potential risks.
10.
Mark the working area surrounding
your antenna with warning signs, lights
and glow-in-the-dark tape. Use the signs
to describe the potential hazards such as
tripping, falling parts and shock. Don’t
forget to light the top of the 30-meter
mast to prevent helo strikes!
11.
Hold a class and instruct everyone
that will regularly be in the vicinity of
the antenna about electrical storms and
lightning hazards. Do they know what
electrical flashover is? Do you?
12.
Have a plan in place to deal with
any injury that does happen. Don’t leave
your response to chance. Know what
can happen, from shock to concussion
to worse. Make sure you and your
Soldiers know exactly how to respond.
Antennas
and Masts…
A
Dozen
Tips
to
Keep
You
Safe!
Here are a dozen
tips to keep you,
the NCO in charge,
and your Soldiers
safe when you
erect an antenna
and mast.
Make a copy of
these tips and
stick it in each
antenna parts’
bag. Read it, then
read it to your
Soldiers before
you erect an
antenna!
I’m
protected!
I either
made an
antenna
or a kite!
I’m
not
the
antenna
FOr youR
car!
thanks!
686.44-45.indd
1-2
11/23/09
2:26:58 PM
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