The SEMC (Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee) Ad Hoc Committee’s objective is to conduct real-world testing and provide detailed information applicable to the performance of safety equipment and related components utilized within the communications infrastructure industry. The SEMC is tasked with enhancing worker safety and personal protection through research initiatives that include all industry stakeholders. 

NATE Safety Sleeve Testing Final Report

This in-depth, 62-page white paper describes the overall scope, methodology and results from the NATE sponsored Safety Sleeve Testing events that were performed at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) in Dayton, Ohio in 2018 and 2019. The testing, performed over three different events and six total days, included over one hundred-ten (110) drops completed. The Association’s Safety Sleeve Testing Team attempted to push the design limits and standards of the safety sleeves and test outside of the parameters established by ANSI/ASSE Z359. Therefore, most of the tests were performed for replication of real-world use and application. The test results presented should only be used to validate and reinforce existing safety procedures. The intent of the testing was to provide feedback to NATE and its membership, and to provide future guidance for the Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) for developing new testing parameters and safety climb system performance criteria.

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Guide for Wire Rope Safety Climbs on Antenna Supporting Structure

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association released the Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) Guide for Wire Rope Safety Climbs on Antenna Supporting Structures – 2020 consensus document. This 15-page manufacturer consensus document is intended to address use of a wire rope safety climb/system in the telecommunications industry. This resource is only intended to apply to structures that are governed by the ANSI/TIA-222 standard, as adopted by the International Building Code (IBC) and other jurisdictional building codes.

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2021 NATE SEMC WIRE ROPE SAFETY SLEEVE TESTING REPORT II

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today officially released the 2021 Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) Wire Rope Safety Sleeve Testing Report II White Paper.

This 15-page document details results from the performance testing of wire rope safety climb system components under different conditions. The testing was performed to provide feedback to NATE members, industry stakeholders and manufacturers. The results of the testing event are meant to raise the bar on safety by increasing awareness and improving testing methods.

All testing was conducted at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) over the course of three days, with eleven different scenarios and forty-five drop tests completed. The testing facility allowed for an indoor, climate-controlled environment. The testing utilized new equipment attached to an antenna supporting structure designed to the ANSI/TIA-222 (H) Standard. All the test drops were recorded and reviewed by the Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee to verify the accuracy of the results.

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2022 Guide for Powered Ascender Use of Antenna Supporting Structures

This telecommunications industry consensus document is intended to address the use of Powered Ascenders in conjunction with a fixed synthetic rope for personnel ascending, descending and work positioning on telecommunications structures. There is not a recognized standard in the United States applicable for the use of Powered Ascenders utilizing synthetic rope; the only relevant reference material available is the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. As a proactive approach to the safe use of Powered Ascenders in the industry, this document was created to provide guidance for the use of Powered Ascenders on telecom structures regardless of Powered Ascender manufacturer or design type.

Recent advances in technology have made Powered Ascenders a more prevalent and viable tool for access to work at height. These devices benefit the industry by reducing worker fatigue, increasing efficiency, productivity, and reducing injury potential from repetitive motion injuries, thus increasing worker longevity.

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NATE SEMC Fall Arrest Lanyard Testing Report 2023

The Fall Arrest Lanyard testing was conducted at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) over two days, with 5 different scenarios and over 100 drop tests completed. The testing utilized new and used equipment attached to an antenna supporting structure designed to the ANSI/TIA-222 standard. The SEMC consulted various stakeholders to determine the 19 most utilized lanyards in the industry. These lanyards consisted of different force tolerances, construction type/ style, and connectors. As most climbers in the industry are only given one set of lanyards for all their work at height activities, the SEMC elected to test all 19 different lanyards in each scenario equally.

Additionally, the fall arrest lanyards utilized for this testing met the requirements of ANSI/ASSP Z359. The SEMC elected to utilize a 310 lb. test torso to better replicate real world scenarios, including the climber’s movement, motion, placement on the system, and center of gravity. Previous results have shown the importance of this type of testing.

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2024 NATE SEMC Quick Rigging Connectors Testing Report

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association officially released the 2024 Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) Quick Rigging Connector Testing Report.

Over the years, incidents, fatalities, and confusion surrounding the use of carabiners in the telecom industry have raised significant safety concerns. To address this, the NATE OSHA Relations Committee conducted a survey among NATE members to assess current practices and product usage. The survey revealed that material handling carabiners are widely used across the industry, with over 75% of respondents reporting usage; primarily for gross loads under 500 lbs.

To clarify the distinction between carabiners designed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per ANSI/ASSP Z359, for dropped objects per ANSI/ISEA 121, and those intended for material handling; this paper will refer to connectors designated for material handling as Quick Rigging Connectors (QRCs).

The Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee (SEMC) collaborated with industry stakeholders to identify the most used QRCs. Four manufacturers were selected, offering steel QRCs in various sizes, construction types, and styles.

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2025 NATE SEMC Rope Grab Testing Report

Rescue planning is a required component of any fall protection plan in the telecommunications industry. Rescue hierarchy has historically been to utilize a companion rescue (otherwise known as a “pick-off”) as the primary method to rescue. This type of rescue involves a synthetic rope vertical lifeline paired with a fall arrester, commonly referred to as a “rope grab.” Rope grabs are engineered to travel along the lifeline as a single person ascends or descends and to arrest a fall in accordance with their rated capacity.

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