Safe working distance from mobile phone mast

[richgriff86]

Hi all, I am trying to find guidance/information on safe working distance or time for a mobile phone mast when undertaking tree work. I found a past post but there was nothing concrete, I'm hoping something has changed.

 

I've done a quick google search and come up with nothing.

 

does anyone have anything that can share to shed light on it?

[htb]

Are you working for the mobile phone provider, if so they should know. If for neighbours then sometimes sometimes there are tags on the mast showing exclusion zones, it depends on the transmitter type.

[richgriff86]

Hi HTB, i dont work for the provider. I work for a local authority and I'm finding more and more masts are popping up near council owned/maintained trees. I was hoping there would be a general rule of thumb to use within a risk assessment.

[Mik the Miller]

They are quite low power.

Less dangerous than a micrwave.

 

To be safe i'd stay around 4 to 6 feet away.

You should put tin foil down your underpants too and line your safety helmet.

To be really, really. really safe don't lick them  😎

 

There is a personal safety meter, I use one when working on RF transmitters etc. and there are quidelines for HSE and risk assesments.

It's a minefield.

I have difficulty getting my meter to 'sound off' when walking past a GSM antenna.

 

https://www.tklink.co.uk/products/railway-specific-products/gauge/nardalert-s3-personal-monitor-s3/

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by Mik the Miller

[Steven P]

If you speak to the owner of the mast they will no doubt say that outside of a fenced boundary they are safe.

 

I used to climb them and from what I remember standing behind the transmitter - phone masts anyway - was OK, but if we had to go around the front they would be turned off. We were up each one for maybe half hour at a time.

 

Where are you working on the trees? From ground level or climbing them? Might have a small effect. Each one has different kinds of transmitters too and different power levels, though the higher powers tend to be taller. Each enclosure should have the owner and operators details - it might be worth giving them a call if you have a concern, quoting the transmitter number which should also be there - and their office should be able to confirm

 

However outside the enclosure and at ground level you should be OK

 

 

 

(remembering years ago when mobiles first became a thing, we were all due to be dead by brain cancer by now)

[Bolt]