My light tower has fallen over. Now what?
A light tower weighing nearly a thousand kilos has tipped over.
That’s serious. It’s dangerous, potentially expensive, and definitely stressful.
Maybe you were right there when it happened.
Maybe you only saw it later.
Either way… the tower is down.
So what do you do?
This blog walks you through exactly what to do in that moment and just as importantly, how to avoid it from happening again.
Why can a light tower fall over?
Our light towers are built to be tough.
They’re fitted with concrete blocks in the base, solid stabiliser legs, and have been tested to withstand wind speeds up to force 10 on the Beaufort scale.
Still, things can go wrong. In most cases, it comes down to one of these two reasons:
1. The tower wasn’t level
If the tower is placed on a slope or soft ground without base plates, it becomes unstable.
A strong gust of wind or even a small shift can cause it to tip sooner than you think.
2. The mast wasn’t lowered during high winds
When wind speeds reach force 10 or more, you must lower the mast.
This is clearly stated in the manual.
If you don’t, the pressure on the structure becomes too great.
What to do if the light tower has fallen
Stay calm. Take the situation seriously. Follow these steps:
1. Keep your distance
Do not go near the tower. Don’t stand on or under it. There may be tension on the structure or hidden damage.
2. Switch off the power
Safety comes first. Even if the lights are still working, turn it off. This prevents short circuits or electrocution risk.
3. Leave it as it is
You won’t be lifting a 1000 kg tower back up by yourself. Don’t try. You’ll likely cause more damage or get hurt.
4. Check for damage
Inspect (or have someone inspect) the following:
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the mast mechanism
-
the lamps
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electrical connections
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the feet and housing
5. Contact your supplier or a professional
Not sure if it’s safe to use again? Let an expert take a look before you do anything.
What not to do
There are a few things you should definitely avoid:
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Trying to lift or reposition the tower by yourself
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Continuing work without an inspection
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Assuming “it’s probably fine”
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Ignoring the problem
Taking a 15-minute break is better than risking serious trouble.
How to prevent a light tower from tipping over
A few simple precautions go a long way:
Set the tower up level
Use the stabiliser legs properly and double-check that the tower is firmly planted, even if the ground seems flat.
Watch the surface
Is the tower standing on sand, clay, or gravel? Use base plates or steel road plates to prevent sinking or tilting.
Check the weather
Is a storm coming? Wind force 10 or more? Lower the mast in time. That’s always safer than hoping for the best.
Use guy wires for extra support
On wide open terrain or for long-term setups, guy wires can add valuable stability.
In summary
A fallen light tower is no small matter.
Stay alert, stay safe, and take the right steps if something goes wrong.
|
Do this |
Don’t do this |
|---|---|
|
Switch off power |
Try to lift the tower yourself |
|
Keep your distance |
Use it again without a check |
|
Inspect or get help |
Downplay the damage |
|
Contact your supplier |
Keep working without expert advice |
Need advice on placing your light tower safely?
Not sure if your terrain poses a risk in bad weather?
Let us know, we’re happy to help you set things up right, so you can keep working safely and with peace of mind.
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