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10/01/2007
Chairman’s Message
I recently received a call from an OSHA compliance officer who had observed a company allowing employees to “ride the line” without full body harnesses and using an old, friction-type hoist. This is a truly sad indicator of a disregard for the proper procedures that have been established in Federal OSHA's CPL 2-1.36 Compliance Directive for riding the line.
It is shocking to me that some people in our industry still don't “get it.”
Twenty years ago there was no such thing as a man-rated hoist. Today, we know better. Riding the line can be safe, if done the correct way using the correct equipment.
In the last few years, men with decades of experience have lost their lives to doing things “old school” --riding rope, friction hoists and even catheads (a spool-shaped metal mechanical device mounted on the end of a shaft around which a rope is wrapped).
Over the years one phrase I've heard many times is that “acceptance comes with generational changes.” In this case, the newcomers learn the right way and the “old dogs” either accept it or are passed by those who see a better way.
It's too bad that there are still those who refuse to accept the fact that change is inevitable, change is needed and change is wanted. Who wouldn't want a better way?
We have got to get this message across. Riding the line can only be done when specific protocols are followed and using specific equipment. It's not hard to do. It's not even that expensive when you look at what it takes to outfit a crew these days.
It's still happening. People aren't following the rules. As they say, “The game is nothing if not played by the rules”. The rules in this case are contained in the CPL 2-1.36 as the only safe way to ride the line. Those people who cut corners to save a little money are doing a disservice to our entire industry. They jeopardize their employees, their customers, and their livelihoods and, yes, the rest of us.
Sure. Customers want to save money. But I assure you, if you asked them if they would hire this company knowing they were risking the very lives of their own personnel and putting the tower owner at risk for hiring an unqualified contractor, they would never allow it.
We need to tell the tower owners and insurance companies. These people are not welcome in our industry.
I'm reminded of a line from the movie “Network,” “I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!” We cannot tolerate those who don't “get it.”
This old dog gets it!
Don Doty is Vice President of Doty Moore Tower Services LLC of Cedar Hill, Texas and can be reached at 215-631-1302 or Don.Doty@StainlessLLC.com.
Don Doty
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