An aerial fitter works at extreme heights, repairing and maintaining tall structures such as towers and scaffolding. They must have physical and mental toughness, attention to detail, and agile hands to prevent accidents. Regulations govern how far they can climb without rest.
An aerial fitter performs repairs, maintenance and construction on tall structures. Towers, scaffolding, and other high places are typical workplaces for the aerial erector. From changing light bulbs on top of radio towers to checking cell towers for abrasions, the aerial erector works exclusively at heights that might make other workers nervous. Many of these workers repair and test electronic equipment, making equipment changes when necessary. The installation and construction of radio, television and radar antennas are also part of the assembler’s tasks.
Working at extreme heights is mandatory for the erector aerialis. Good physical conditioning is mandatory because most of the work involves climbing very tall steel towers to access the jobsite. The actual assembly of the towers also includes the aerial erector, from installing and fixing the tower sections to fixing the guide wires to stabilize the tower. Wiring the lights, antennas, and other electronics used on the tower often requires more than one installer to be on the tower at the same time. This can lead to accidents due to crowding or accidental contact between workers.
Along with physical strength, mental toughness is a requirement for the erector aerialis. The ability to concentrate on the job at hand, never forgetting extreme working heights, is a must. Attention to detail and detailing is also required when working at extreme heights.
Forgetting a tool or component needed to complete the repair or installation can result in hours of wasted time. It can often take several hours to simply reach the desired working height by climbing. Over-climbing due to forgotten components also drains energy from the worker which can result in an accidental slip due to fatigue.
The aerial erector must also possess agile and dexterous hands to help prevent tools and components from dropping. A tool dropped from the top of a tall tower can potentially be deadly to people on the ground below. Equipment and machinery can also be damaged or destroyed, even from the smallest objects falling from far above. In most areas, regulations govern how far a fitter can climb without rest. Most towers have small platforms placed at suitable intervals to provide a resting place when the aerial rigger is moving up and down a tower.
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