I felt quite sick viewing this!!!

Magnarc · Guru

I felt quite sick viewing this!!!

Bushpie · Guru

My blood pressure certainly could not handle that one..........

Bass · Senior Member

BLOODY NORA. !!!!!!!!! had to laugh when watched it again and seen the small baby padlock used to lock the top hatch.. Then there's the risk of both feet slipping each side of the arm.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I didn't even last half way through that. Too much for me sorry.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Wow - amazing courage - I think I could do it - at least get up there and stand on top -don't know about the work bit - better get used to thrills, coz I'm jumping out of a perfectly good plane this year with Yeoeleven!!!!!!

Recoup · Guru

Why would you wear a helmet up there ? cheers

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Keep the bird doodoo off their hair - isn't that obvious??????????

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Wouldn't want to be in the crowd down below if he dropped the hammer or chisel !!! Most high-line workers these days have their hand tools tethered to a work belt by small steel cables.

The Phantom · Guru

I used to do this sort of thing once. We had a saying that went something like, "always whistle if you slip and fall. It stops you from screaming and drawing attention to yourself." and "what pocket do you keep your wallet in?".

All in a days work.

The Phantom

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello Maqnarc and everyone

As The Phantom has said, back in the day before a harness was compulsory, it was normal to climb a steel column without a ladder, and walk across a steel beam.
Even as a silly Fitter, playing at Rigging, it was all in a days employment.

Some people have no fear of heights, and a very good balance.
I am led to believe that there is a Native North American, Red Indian Tribe, who are renowned for their sense of balance, and they are well respected within the American steel erecting industry

The Phantom · Guru

Tony, it is the Mohawk tribe who have the reputation as fearless men working at heights.

If I remember correctly, they were brought to Australia for the erection of the towers at the Harold Holt Base in Exmouth in the 1960's. The tallest, Tower 0 is about 390m high and others are 300 and 360 metres high. There are 13 towers in all.

I never worked there but spoke to many that had and they were in awe of these Indian steel erectors.

The Phantom

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello Maqnarc
I apologise if I am taking this thread off topic

Hello The Phantom
I only started dabbling in Rigging in the early 80s
I did hear of the Red Indian Tribe, (I thought that they were known by another name), from other Riggers
The stories I heard were only ever third hand, by someone who knew someone, who had been told by someone else, that they had worked alongside of them.
You are the first to mention that they actually came to perform employment in Australia, at the Exmouth base
So thanks for that information

For those who have never been up high, without a harness, I think that I speak for many pre OH&S Riggers, when I say.
I am not a hero, and I am certainly not a nut, it was what we thought was normal, back in the day.

To show how brave I really am, I would never attempt to become a tightrope walker at the Circus, as I do not think that I have that type of balance.

DMaxer · Guru

Hello Maqnarc, I felt wobbly just watching that video. How brave are those guys.

Without going off topic too much; remember watching the riggers riding around on the hook of the crane. I think they used to call them dogmen. All before OH and S came in to fashion.

beiffe · Guru

When I started work you were considered s sissie if you wanted safety gear. Never had a harness but the highest I worked was.215 ft but also had to work over molten metal walking girders with gear. No safety gear in those days, even required to share respirators when in realy bad areas as they deemed every one would not be getting the fumes. Worked high and in vessels in confined spaces and used horrible products but would never trust the riggers always did our own

chicken · Senior Member

OMG I went hot and cold watching that one!!