[TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident

[Ethan]

Doug Renwick wrote:
> If this description of the fatal event is correct then one possibility
> is that being belted-in in his decent may have contributed to his fall.
> If he used both hands to unhook his positioning lanyard (reason unknown)
> to get around the guy station, and lost his balance then that could
> explain what happened.  Yes if he had used a fall-arrest lanyard it
> could have changed the outcome.
> IMO if the use of 'safety' equipment increases your risk then it is not
> doing the job.  If the 'safety' equipment complicates, interferes,
> tangles, etc. then it will increase the risk and be a hazard.
> Don't waste your time emailing me about risk.  Everyone takes a risk
> when they put their first foot on the tower rung.  Don't climb when you
> are tired, out of physical condition, don't rush, focus on what you are
> doing, if what you are about to do doesn't feel right - don't do it.
>
> Doug
>   
Improper equipment or improper use can contribute to increased accident 
risk, to be sure!  But you sound to me just like the person who refuses 
to wear a seatbelt while driving, saying it might trap him in the car, 
while totally ignoring what could happen if he has an accident without 
the seatbelt.  If you don't have proper safety equipment or don't know 
how to use your equipment properly, don't climb!  The safety record of 
the tower maintenance industry is dismal, and it's getting the attention 
of people who would just love to add tower climbing to the list of 
regulated activities.  If, one day, we hear that hams no longer can do 
our own tower work due to regulations, we will have people like you to 
blame for it!  Get off the tower!

-- 
Ethan KC8HES