NWS Safety Manual (PDF) - NEXRAD Radar Operations Center ...

NOTE:NWSM 50-1115 SEPTEMBER 14, 2011certification courses every two years (nominal). This inspection bycompetent/qualified person enables NWS to avoid premature discarding of theequipment that would be based only on the assumed equipment life. Pre-useinspection and annual inspections at field offices are still required. If inspectionindicates any of these components should be replaced, a written statement will beprovided by the instructor to the student and to NWS headquartersenvironmental/safety staff. Field personnel should order replacement equipmentfrom the National Logistics Support Center.e. In addition to annual inspections, fall protection equipment issued to NWSpersonnel for use as the restraint system only will be inspected by current certifiedclimbers during peer review refresher training.Self-retracting Lifelines purchased by the WFO personnel shall be inspected everytwo years, per manufacturer’s recommendation and by manufacturer’s approvedvendor.1.3.8 Maintenance and Storagea. Washing harnesses and lanyards in soapy water is the best way to remove loosedebris, followed by rinsing with fresh water. Drying in a cool area away fromultra-violet (UV) light is recommended. Always make sure labels are legible. Donot use industrial solvents on synthetic materials. Do not oil moving parts unlessinstructed by manufacturer.b. Synthetic material should be kept away from bright sunlight and UV light duringstorage and maintained in a cool dry place. Fading of dyed synthetic color is anindicator to signify UV exposure which may be damaging.1.3.9 TrainingNOTE:a. Fall protection/rescue training shall be provided for all NWS employees requiredto climb, work on and descend structures in performance of their job duties.Training shall be provided by a competent person as defined in 29 CFR 1926.503(a)(2).b. Fall Protection/rescue training re-certification period for the climbers who do notneed to perform rescue (rescue is provided by fire department or rescue squad) isthree years (nominal). For personnel who need to conduct rescue in addition toclimbing, recertification period is two years (nominal).The two-year or three-year recertification period is nominal to account for changes incourse schedule and personnel availability from year to year. For example, for athree-year recertification cycle, a climber certified in March 2007 would requirerecertification before the end of FY10, not necessarily in March 2010.Personnel who will need to use only a fall restraint system are required to attendinitial training. Refresher training can be accomplished as a peer review by currentcertified climbers.c. A written certification shall be generated by the training/recertification1−8