Posted on 11/21/2014 4:33:15 PM PST by kingattax
We made this video for all of the climbers in the tower industry who believe in safety. Nick Bassarab and Todd Horning from Safety One Training Inc. climb to the top of a 1700 foot tall tower to change a couple light bulbs while using 100% attachment the whole time. www.safetyoneinc.com for more information on safe climbing and work at height practices.
Note to self: investigate LED array.
I am like Colombo, I am afraid of heights, I don’t even like being this tall.
Years ago, I was offered $1000 to climb to the top of a 200 foot radio tower and change the bulb. Nope.
Routine maintenance on 700’ LORAN C towers for years.
Nuthin’ to it.
There is no way in the world. Nope, I wouldn’t even think about it.
Apparently, the second climbers sole job was to collect the old light bulb and put it in a cloth sack.
Put all the spent bulbs inside a canvas bag, radio the ground crew, toss it.
Woulda been nicer for the vid viewers if they’d done this on a clearer day.
Whatever it is, it's not enough.
I had a patient who did this for a living.
I wish I could have asked him more questions.
I still got in a few.
What's the highest tower you've climbed?
1500 feet.
Do you like your job?
Love it.
How long does it take to climb the towers?
Depends. Often 2-3 hours.
Do you get scared?
No, not really.
What about weather? Don't you worry about being struck by lightning?
I try to plan ahead. But I just can't predict everything.
Do you lose your footing?
Sometimes. But I remember to clip on. (I didn't know what he meant). I've lost friends, but each of them had forgotten to "clip on" properly.
A few changes to the bulb cover mechanism and maybe the bulb socket and this job gets done by some chicken (like me) sitting in a truck on the ground.
“Clip on” means to clip the safety harness to the tower.
I saw a video of a guy who does this for a living and he is totally blind. Nothing scares him when he looks down.
How many liberals does it take to screw in a light bulb?
None. They prefer to remain in the dark.
Do they turn the power off before you climb the tower?
What kind of bulbs are they using? They look like incandescents, but with an odd base.
What kind of wattage are they?
And sorry for being a PITA, how long do the bulbs last?
If the pay was spectacular, I would totally do it. I love heights.
I love heights too . I’d do that for free!
More than once?
Are you sue?
Heavy duty incandescent lamps in a 5 or 6 bulb automatic changers inside weatherproof fixtures.
LORAN towers were ‘live’ when you climbed. You use a fiberglass ladder to mount the tower and your body takes on the potential of the tower when you touch it. Like a bird setting on a high voltage wire.
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