This video tied my stomach into knots.
It’s a helmet-cam video of a transmission tower repair technician’s free-climb of a 1,768 foot tower. The climber reaches the tower’s top most light beacon (these towers are so tall they need FAA standardized beacons so airplanes won’t fly into them).
good view
[...] Imagine briefly, as vividly as you can, standing at the top of a cliff. You stand at the edge, and while you feel the breezes slip by you look down, and see a base that seems impossibly far away, covered in rocks. Hold this image for just a moment. If you don’t have a great imagination, watch this instead. [...]
[...] Of course, some garbage men in Atlanta make about as much… Climbing A 1,768 Foot Transmission Tower [...]
[...] Originally Posted by Kid Lester I forgot to add this clip to my reply to motherof3, KL. There are several openings with this company and the pay is [...]
this is scarry
First of all, let’s clarify something. As a certified tower climber, FREE Climbing is NOT allowed by OSHA. Period. No question about it. This dude is either clinically insane, stupid, or just doesn’t give a shit about his friends or family or anyone he leaves behind when his body splatters on the ground. Whoever made this video is dead wrong and obviously not a climber. The climber is about the dumbest I’ve seen. There are plenty of anchor points on that tower and if not, thats what a choker is for! If you believe or try this, you better have a will prepared. Climber, your the reason our industry has the highest fatality rate of any job per year! you need to go back to school!
man does this guy got nerve -not enough money in the world to try this out
Bobby, Welcome to the smart group. Really, once you’ve been up to 300-400 feet, being at 1,200 or more isn’t really that different. everything looks tiny and it ‘s a long way down. Besides, you have work to do so most of your attention is on your work anyway. I can’t believe this guys’ company allowed him to post this. Great way to get shut down by OSHA and get fired.
[...] här är inget för höjdrädda, men jag förslår att ni kikar ändå. För mig hirade det i benen hela [...]
Warning! This is very intense for those afraid of heights
No way. Not for 10 million dollars. No. Way.
Sean Schriver,
Your industry does not even make the top ten list, so quit with the bravado. The list for 2010-2012 is as follows:
Commercial fishing;Loggers ;Airline pilots and flight engineers;farmers; mining machine operators;roofers;garbage men; truck drivers and sales drivers;industrial machinery installation,repair and maintenance;
police. Also, your job was not on any previous years for the last couple decades that I could find. Why would a person lie about that and try to belittle someone else? You are a sad little man.
Hey John, You need to check your OSHA stats on “Deaths by Falls”. Why I’m even replying to you is a mystery but you’re probably one that thinks this free climbing video is cool. It’s complete ignorance, absolutely no reason to be free-climbing, and complete disregard for anyone who is remotely related to the climbers including friends and family and other workers in an industry which they are attempting to represent. We do this job everyday, as much as you drive your car and I bet you wear your seatbelt even when just going to the store. See the connection?Granted, the job itself and the thrill of what we do is something most will never experience nor want to, is appealing, this is not an accurate representation of the hazards we face every day in high winds, severe and inclimate weather, and the possiblity of “death by fall” which I referenced earlier. I ask, what possible knowledge do you have that makes you any kind of expert on what I and others do every day so you can have your precious, uninterrupted cell coverage on your phone? Unless you are a climber or in the industry, you really should do us a favor and only speak to that which you know. I don’t pretend to know anything about medical issues yet I can watch countless tv shows and claim to be. Again, you speak of which you know nothing about…
Sean, You stated your industry “has the highest fatality rate per year” It doesn’t. That is called a lie where I come from. Either that or you really didn’t know what you were talking about. It’s just like all the firemaen and cops who try to impress people with how dangerous their job is when statistically, the guy selling you the slurpee on the midnight shift faces more risk of death. It happens in my occupation as well (Electrical Power Lineman), with some of the younger, more pretentious guys. They don’t impress me any more than you do. I will say however, I do agree with you on the topic safety harnesses. Until recently we were expected to free climb poles (only 90 – 100 feet max, usually much less) The industry standard is now the buck squeeze which prevents falls and I welcome it. I’ve seen three people fall in the last five years with broken pelvises, fractured heels, ribs, punctured lungs, etc. It is irresponsible to not use your safety equipment, however, it could be argued that participating in extreme sports, mountain climbing, or even motorcycling is just as potentially deadly. So if this guy is crazy enough to do something like this, you still have to kinda admire the nerve, or balls if you will, I sure as hell wouldn’t do it. I think you are just jealous he is taking a little of the spotlight from “your most fatal industry” / I am finished on this matter, reply if you will, I will read it, but any further discussion would just be argumentative. I will let the jury decide on this one.
Ok John, this is getting redundant. First, we are talking about this video, free climbing, tower work (not any other work) and falling resulting in death. I believe you digress off topic to debate a non topical point. Tower workers by stat have the highest death rate “by fall” out of any industry. Check your OSHA stats. Enough said. I could care less about “tooting my horn”. I do this job for a living, the brotherhood, and staying out of an office or a factory. The view from my “office is second to none but other factors make this far from anyone’s “dream job”. I could care less about impressing you or anyone else. I know what I do, and I put food on my family’s table. This video, and the mis-information it distributes, puts my industry in a false light that we are all free climbing cowboys and my intention is to provide the proper information to those that would believe this is the norm from watching this video. Period. Free-climbing is dangerous and selfish from an occupational stand point. If you want to get personal, I don’t respect this climber anymore than I respect someone who spends their time on a transmission pole up to 100 ft. If you are watching this video thinking this job is so cool and are looking for a cheap thrill, then you don’t belong. This is serious, not a game, and not an extreme sport. You want a weekend thrill? go bungee jumping, go rock climbing, go base jumping. This job is not a playground. That is my point. it’s dangerous, and not only can you hurt or kill yourself, you can endanger your co-workers who may be on the tower or below you on the ground. lives and lively hood are put at risk by pulling stunts like this and there is no reason for it. This is why within the last 3 months of 2011, 3 climbers age 18-27 died from falling from a tower. I have graphic pics if you really want to press the issue. Why you are so intent on arguing, I am not sure. At least we agree on one major point, and that’s safety. Agreed, the video is entertaining, that’s it. But the narrator should have done a better job in clarifying that this is not normal, not approved by OSHA or anyone, and highly risky. One last point to clarify. I do not respect the climber and do not admire his “balls”. I’ve seen many a news report with mentally handicapped people and intoxicated individuals climbing 300 ft towers with absolutely no equipment at all and in one case with no shoes and legally intoxicated. All were involved in police stand-offs and made it back down safely to the ground on their own. Demonstrating anyone can do what this guy is doing, myself, you, everyone reading included. The point, he’s on the clock, not an entertaining extreme sport athlete. It’s embarrassing to my industry. So I guess, by your arguments, the next time I see a you-tube video of a lineman getting fried on a high voltage line I should laugh and think that funny and you all don’t pay attention to what your working on? I think you would agree, it’s not, and I’m sure you would be infuriated if people formed their conceptions of your industry on a video of someone taking unnecessary risks. If you have to have the last word to entertain yourself, you can have it. I’ve said my piece, proven my point, have a nice life and don’t get fried like I see in other videos.
This job should include a parachute. If you are scared of heights, watching this may be a bit scary
Tower climbing has the highest fatality rate in terms of percentage of employees. Here is a link check it out….http://listverse.com/2008/08/26/top-10-most-fatal-occupations/…You should get your facts straight before you start blurting stupid things out your mouth. Also like the other guys said free climbing is totally not aloud. I mean I still do it because im old school but using a pelican hook on a climbing peg has to be the most dangerous thing you can do. If you slip that hook can pop off the end of that peg. That guy is a moron.