[Towertalk] falling from my tower

[WL7M]

Thanks for the reminder!  Accidents can happen at ground level (almost) 
too, despite precautions!

73,
Joe
WL7M

At 10:49 AM 12-04-02, Al Williams wrote:
>Yesterday I fell from my tower!  Well, not really--I fell from my 6'
>stepladder
>that was leaning against the tilt fixture.  I had finished looping the tilt
>winch cable through the pulleys and was descending at the 2nd or 3rd step
>from the ground.  All of sudden I was falling backwards and hit the
>ground, first with my feet, then my tailbone, then my back, and then
>my head (which bounced back up a bit).
>
>I don't climb towers so am not at all an authority so why am I posting this
>to all tower talkians including many experienced and professional tower
>climbers?  Read on.
>
>First, I do not have a macho personality and I always have been very
>cautious and careful whether hiking, using ladders, and tools, etc.
>The stepladder was firmly planted and it or I did not slip.  Furthermore,
>I had made it a practice to have both hands holding the cross braces
>of the tilt fixture before moving my feet up or down.
>
>But an unexpected event occurred.  My right boot caught on the
>ladder rung.  At the same time I must have had one or both hands
>off the cross braces (I wasn't carrying anything--maybe one hand
>was free and the other hand got pulled off, I don't know).
>
>Here is why I am posting this accident.  I was finished with the
>off-ground part of the task and what could happen so close to
>the ground?  I must have deviated from my safety carefulness
>long enough for the unexpected event to occur.
>
>Fortunately, my sore tailbone and lower back has almost
>completely recovered.
>
>Forever stay cautious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>Thanks
>k7puc