You think your job is tough?

September 15th, 2010 by Julie Ferguson

Last week, we rocked and rolled you with a dramatic video of a cruise ship tossed in a storm, but for sheer fear factor, we think this video may top that one. Normally, we wouldn’t post another video so soon after that one, but we think this one may not stay up for long!

Note: the video we had posted was removed but a copy has been posted here:

Direct link: Climbing Up The Tallest Antenna Tower 1,768 feet

Once we caught our breath after the gut-churning visceral reaction to the clip, we had two thoughts: Massive respect for the jobs that infrastructure workers do to keep our lights on, our computers running, and our phones working, and absolute horror at the “free climbing” concept. The narrator says that OSHA rules really allow for this, but that doesn’t sound right. We’d be interested in comments from safety professionals.

Here’s what we found from OSHA: “Tower climbing remains the most dangerous job in America. The majority of fatalities are the result of climbers not being tied off to a safe anchorage point at all times or relying upon faulty personal protection equipment. Many fatalities have occurred during the erection, retrofitting or dismantling of a tower. “Tie or Die!” has become synonymous with the requirement for 100 percent fall protection.”

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