5G Cell Tower Safety and Annual Structural Inspection Checklist
This 5G cell tower safety and structural inspection checklist ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 Telecommunications Safety Standards, ANSI/TIA-222-H Structural Standards for Antenna Supporting Structures, FCC OET Bulletin 65 RF Exposure Guidelines, and FAA obstruction lighting requirements. Designed for tower climbers, RF safety engineers, and site supervisors.
- Industry: Telecommunications & IT
- Frequency: Semi-Annually
- Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
- Role: Tower Climbing Technician / RF Safety Engineer
- Total Items: 31
- Compliance: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 Telecommunications Safety, ANSI/TIA-222-H Structural Standards for Antenna Supporting Structures, FCC OET Bulletin 65 RF Exposure Guidelines, ANSI/ASSE Z359.11 Full-Body Harness Standard, FAA AC 70/7460-1M Obstruction Marking and Lighting
Pre-Climb Safety Check and PPE
All PPE inspections and pre-climb safety procedures before ascending.
- Full-body harness inspected - no cuts, burns, or deformation?
- Energy-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline in good condition?
- Type II hard hat in serviceable condition and within 5-year life?
- Tower climber holds current fall protection certification?
- Site climb permit obtained from site owner/carrier?
- Weather assessed - no climbing in winds >30 mph or lightning?
- Minimum two-person crew present for climb?
RF Exposure Hazard Assessment
Radiofrequency hazard evaluation per FCC OET Bulletin 65.
- RF exposure assessment completed for all active sectors on tower?
- Calibrated RF power density meter available and used?
- RF exclusion zones physically marked or flagged?
- Carrier antennas powered down for work within exclusion zone?
- Photo of RF meter reading at work area
Tower Structural Integrity
Structural member inspection per ANSI/TIA-222-H.
- No significant rust, corrosion, or section loss on structural members?
- All structural bolts properly torqued per ANSI/TIA-222-H specs?
- Foundation anchor bolts intact and base plate free of standing water?
- Tower plumb within ANSI/TIA-222-H tolerance (1/1000 of height)?
- Guy wire tension at specified values and turnbuckles locked? (guyed towers)
- Photo documentation of tower base and key structural points
Grounding System and Aviation Lighting
Electrical grounding integrity and FAA compliance lighting.
- Tower ground ring and buried counterpoise system intact?
- Coax/fiber grounding kits installed at specified intervals?
- FAA obstruction lights operational on all levels? (towers >200 ft)
- Outage-monitoring system for FAA lights active and connected?
Antenna and Equipment Condition
5G antenna panels, radio units, and cable inspection.
- Antenna azimuth and down-tilt within RF design document specs?
- All antenna mounting hardware secure with lock nuts and torqued?
- Antenna radomes intact with no cracks, UV discoloration, or holes?
- Coaxial cables undamaged with heat shrink and drip loops intact?
- Equipment cabinet door gaskets intact, door closed and locked?
Regulatory Compliance Documentation
FCC, FAA, and zoning documentation verification.
- FCC ASR (Antenna Structure Registration) current in ULS database?
- Site ground lease or sublease agreement current and on file?
- Open findings from previous inspection reviewed and addressed?
- Tower Inspection Deficiency Notes
Related IT & Data Security Checklists
- 5G Small Cell Installation and Commissioning Checklist
- 5G NR RF Drive Test and Coverage Verification Checklist
- 5G Core Network Security Assessment Checklist
- 5G Network Slicing SLA and QoS Configuration Audit Checklist
- 5G Spectrum Management and Interference Audit Checklist
- 5G Cell Site Acquisition and Zoning Compliance Checklist
- ISO 27001:2022 ISMS Internal Audit Checklist
- SOC 2 Type II Audit Readiness Assessment Checklist
Related Telecom Checklists
- 5G Small Cell Installation and Commissioning Checklist - FREE Download
- 5G NR RF Drive Test and Coverage Verification Checklist - FREE Download
- 5G Core Network Security Assessment Checklist - FREE Download
- 5G Network Slicing SLA and QoS Configuration Audit Checklist - FREE Download
- 5G Spectrum Management and Interference Audit Checklist - FREE Download
- 5G Cell Site Acquisition and Zoning Compliance Checklist - FREE Download
- Fiber Optic Splicing Quality and Compliance Checklist - FREE Download
- OTDR Acceptance Test and Fiber Link Certification Checklist - FREE Download
- Aerial Fiber Cable Installation and Lashing Checklist - FREE Download
- Underground Fiber Conduit Installation and OSP Checklist - FREE Download
Why Use This 5G Cell Tower Safety and Annual Structural Inspection Checklist?
This 5g cell tower safety and annual structural inspection checklist helps telecommunications & it teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for tower climbing technician / rf safety engineer professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: semi-annually.
Ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 Telecommunications Safety, ANSI/TIA-222-H Structural Standards for Antenna Supporting Structures, FCC OET Bulletin 65 RF Exposure Guidelines, ANSI/ASSE Z359.11 Full-Body Harness Standard, FAA AC 70/7460-1M Obstruction Marking and Lighting. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 5G Cell Tower Safety and Annual Structural Inspection Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 6 sections: Pre-Climb Safety Check and PPE, RF Exposure Hazard Assessment, Tower Structural Integrity, Grounding System and Aviation Lighting, Antenna and Equipment Condition, Regulatory Compliance Documentation. It is designed for telecommunications & it operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed semi-annually. Each completion takes approximately 60-90 minutes.
Who should use this 5G Cell Tower Safety and Annual Structural Inspection Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Tower Climbing Technician / RF Safety Engineer professionals in the telecommunications & it industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.