Best Practices in Small Wind: Tower Climbing Safety

Section 6: Health & Fitness
Climbing a tower is a highly physical activity that requires general good health. There is no reason to be
an incredibly fast climber under normal circumstances, and it’s actually best to keep a steady pace and
get into a climbing “rhythm.” It’s not a good idea to let yourself become exhausted, as you may need
strength to attend to an unexpected situation or emergency. Continually monitor the condition of your
climbing partner(s). In most cases, you are likely to be up-tower for a long time, so be prepared.
Best practices:
� Be well rested and in good general health
� Avoid excessive caffeine, sugar, or other “energy products”
� Have enough food in your body and on the worksite for the day. You will burn many
calories if you’re climbing and will need adequate “fuel.”
� Never climb under the influence of alcohol or drugs
� Rest as needed
� Stretch before climbing to avoid strains and sprains. Do each exercise or hold each stretch a
minimum of 10 seconds.
� Neck rolls
� Arm circles (for shoulders)
� Forearms
� Groin
� Hamstrings
� Ankles
� Hips & Gluteus
� Share with your coworkers information about any injuries you have or medications you’re
taking that may interfere with your ability to climb or perform safely
� Never climb if you’re feeling ill, weak, or light-headed
� Keep your body close to the tower and focus on climbing mostly with your legs, not your
arms
� Try to maintain “three points of contact” – only one limb off the tower at a time (or two
limbs when using a limited fall arrest system attached to the front D-ring on a full body
harness)
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