Elevated Camera Platform Policy

• NIU Health and Safety Policy
• NIU Mobile Elevating Work Platforms Program (Aerial Lifts)
• 56 IL Admin Code Part 350 Health and Safety Code
• NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook (PDF)

Authorized person

A camera operator who has been trained in the safe operation of elevated camera platforms and fall protection gear by a qualified trainer.

Competent person

One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous (including inclement weather conditions, such as where there is snow on any elevated work platform or where there is lightening in the area), and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. For purposes of this policy competent persons are:

• DoiT Football Video Coordinator
• DoiT Football Taping Student Crew Chief
• Intercollegiate Athletics’ Director of Football Operations
• Intercollegiate Athletics’ Head Trainer for Football

Competent persons may use a variety of tools to evaluate and determine whether hazardous weather conditions are imminent. Such tools may include, but are not limited to:

• Portable wind anemometers
• Cell phones and computers outfitted with access to real-time weather information
• Beaufort Scale for assessing wind speeds
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards Radio
• Environmental consideration guidance as outlined in the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook

Qualified trainer

A full-time NIU employee who has successfully completed the “Train the Trainer” aerial lift instruction course in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and equipment manufacturer specifications. Qualified trainers may also include 3rd party vendors retained by the Environmental Health and Safety Department to provide training in aerial lifts, fall protection gear, and scaffold erection and operation.

DoiT Video Camera Operators

• Operators have a vested interest in their personal safety and always have the right to refuse to work in conditions that they do not feel are safe. Operators shall convey potentially hazardous conditions to a competent person who will further evaluate. If such conditions exist, the competent person will instruct operators to cease operations immediately until the hazard is mitigated.
• Operators shall immediately descend elevated camera platforms if the competent person determines the operator may be exposed to a hazardous condition.
• Prior to use, operators must visually inspect the elevated camera platform in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating manual and report any deficiencies to the competent person.
• Operators must be trained in the safe use of elevated camera platforms on an annual basis or as deemed necessary by the competent person. Operators must attend training on the use of fall protection gear in the event such gear must be worn prior to accessing elevated camera platforms. Operators are required to don fall protection equipment before operating boom-supported aerial lifts. Operators must provide evidence of training documentation upon request.
• Operators must be trained in the operation of the hand anemometer. The operator will don the anemometer and a two-way radio while positioned on the elevated camera platform. However, donning such equipment shall not impede the operator’s safe access to and from the elevated camera platform. Two-way communications with the competent person shall be continuously maintained.

Intercollegiate Athletics Director of Football Operations

• Ensure that visiting team and network camera crews are informed about the potential hazards associated with recording from elevated camera platforms in Huskie Stadium.
• Communicate with visiting team and network camera crews that use of NIU-owned and operated aerial lifts and associated safety equipment is prohibited unless specified otherwise in contractual agreements.
• Confirm that elevated camera platforms at off-site stadiums have been properly inspected and maintained for use by NIU authorized personnel.
• Provide visiting team and network camera crews with a copy of this policy as needed.

DoiT Football Video Coordinator

• Ensure authorized students and employees are trained in the safe operation of elevated camera platforms including fall protection gear as needed.
• Meet with other competent personnel prior to the start of the football season to discuss weather condition operations as needed.
• Provide and maintain all safety equipment including fall protection gear and portable anemometers.
• Periodically inspect the operator’s use of the elevated camera platforms in accordance with this Policy.
• Provide operators with a wallet-sized, laminated copy of their training certificate to be kept on them at all times while operating on elevated camera platforms.

Environmental Health and Safety Department

• Provide training on the use of aerial lifts, scaffolding, and fall protection gear for authorized personnel upon request.
• Periodically inspect the operator’s use of the elevated camera platforms in accordance with this policy.
• Periodically revise this policy to reflect changes in applicable safety and health regulations, industry best practices, and Huskie Stadium operations.
• Provide guidance and consultation to policy users on the contents herein.

• Authorized personnel recording from the elevated camera platforms will have a portable anemometer with them and a working two-way radio. The wind speeds can be monitored from the elevated camera platforms using portable anemometers. The competent person can relay real-time weather data to the operators as needed.
• The competent person(s) on-site at Huskie Stadium must monitor the weather information periodically during collegiate football practices and games. The competent person shall be on the field and in radio contact with the authorized personnel. This will require coordination amongst all competent persons listed herein to ensure proper coverage.
• Gusts and/or sustained wind speeds of 25 miles per hour (mph) is the safety limit for safe aerial lift operation unless specified otherwise in the aerial lift operator’s manual. If sustained wind or wind gusts are forecasted to be greater than 25 mph, the competent person will ground the aerial lift for that period. The competent person reserves the right to direct authorized personnel to ground the aerial lift regardless of wind speed should weather or other hazardous conditions be imminent.
• Gusts and/or sustained wind speeds of 35 mph is the safety limit for operating all scaffolds. The competent person reserves the right to direct authorized personnel to descend the scaffolds regardless of wind speed should weather or other hazardous conditions be imminent.
• Scaffolds and aerial lifts are prohibited from use if sleet, ice, or snow or a combination thereof is present unless a competent person determines such conditions can be mitigated to eliminate any potential for slipping, tripping, or falling while accessing the scaffold or aerial lift.
• Elevated camera platforms not requiring fall protection gear are in the crows’ nests at both 30-yard lines, in the south half of the auxiliary press box, or on the balcony of the Yordon Center. Fall protection gear may be required when working on the west stadium roof under the canopy in windy and inclement weather conditions as determined by the competent person. Authorized personnel are prohibited from accessing elevated camera platforms if lightning is detected within 6 to 10 miles of campus by a competent person per applicable NCAA guidelines.
• Use of single tier and mobile scaffolding located adjacent to the field must be in accordance with OSHA standards. Use of safety belts may be required. Rubber-soled shoes are required for working on this scaffolding.
• Use of aerial lifts requires authorized personnel to complete the pre-operation inspection checklist and the site hazard assessment and rescue plan form both of which are accessible on the EH&S Department website. The competent person shall review with authorized personnel before using the aerial lift.
• Designated NIU competent persons shall coordinate with other universities and athletic venues to ensure that elevated camera platforms at off-site stadiums have been properly inspected and maintained for use by NIU authorized personnel. Regardless, NIU authorized personnel must visually inspect elevated camera platforms to confirm they are safe for use. NIU authorized personnel will also inspect the field surface to ensure conditions are conducive for the safe use of scaffolding as needed.

NIU authorized personnel shall be trained on the safe operation of aerial lifts, scaffolds, and fall protection gear by a qualified trainer before the beginning of the football season. Competent persons shall have access to such records upon request and retain copies as needed.