According to PBS: The smartphone revolution comes with a . . . → Read More: Cell Tower Deaths on PBS Frontline 5/22/12]]> PBS Frontline in conjunction with ProPublica will present “Cell Tower Deaths” premiering on May 22, 2012 on PBS stations. No, this story is NOT about radio frequency emissions concerns. Rather, it focuses on the risk of building and servicing cell towers. Those risks are significant.

According to PBS:

The smartphone revolution comes with a hidden cost. A joint investigation by FRONTLINE and ProPublica explores the hazardous work of independent contractors who are building and servicing America’s expanding cellular infrastructure. While some tower climbers say they are under pressure to cut corners, layers of subcontracting make it difficult for safety inspectors to determine fault when a tower worker is killed or injured.

Why are tower workers 10-times more likely to die than regular construction workers (as claimed by PBS)?

You’ll see one reason in my February 2012 post titled, “Is Tower Building a Dirty Job?”

Take a look at the clip. About 36 second in to the Dirty Jobs clip you’ll see the owner of a tower construction company attach his safety belt hook to a tower section not yet bolted to the rest of the tower.

In my opinion, what you see at that moment is an amazing deadly lack of judgment, especially for the owner of a tower construction company. Even if he’s double tied-off to the tower, were the free-floating tower section were to fly off or drop, he would be split in two (metaphorically, if not in reality). I wonder if his poor judgment is a model for his employees? I certainly hope not. I’ll bet his Workers Comp insurance carrier hopes not, as well.

The February 7th show has Mike joining the Great Plains Towers crew as they build a new stick.   No doubt . . . → Read More: Is Tower Building a Dirty Job?]]> Apparently, tower building is a Dirty Job, according to Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”   I happen to love the show, and I love towers, so what’s not to love about this?

The February 7th show has Mike joining the Great Plains Towers crew as they build a new stick.   No doubt this will be an interesting segment.

Here’s a question for you: Why are the tower bolts inserted upwards through the holes, with the nuts and washers on the top?  There is a VERY good reason for this, and you are taught the reason on the very first tower you assemble, or come to inspect.

Here’s another question from the clip, above: Why did Kevin Reski, the owner of Great Plains Towers  attach one of his safety belt hooks to a tower segment that had not yet secured by any bolts?  I really doubt there’s a very good reason for this.

Jonathan

PS: The tallest stick I’ve built was 251 feet AGL back in 1982.  It was for Storer Cable in Mission Viejo, California. That was tall enough for me, thank you very much.

PPS: Mike is well known for Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs and the Deadest Catch, and for the hysterical YouTube clips of Mike on QVC in the early 90′s (don’t drink while watching these unless you want to mop the floor after).  His personal web site is a fun pun: http://www.mikeroweworks.com.

Spotted in Las Vegas.

No, not that one, the older one in New Mexico.

Now put down that cell phone and concentrate on applying your make-up or shaving while trying to drive home from that New Year’s celebration!

Happy New Year.

=Jonathan

Don’t text this to a friend while driving, okay?

For those of you who would like to see a great movie incorporating this, ah, problem, go out and rent the wonderful 1991 movie,  “Defending . . . → Read More: Cell Phones and Lip Gloss?]]> The California Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement of the keep-your-eyes-on-the-road rules.  It’s not (just) a cell phone thing, anymore.

Don’t text this to a friend while driving, okay?

For those of you who would like to see a great movie incorporating this, ah, problem, go out and rent the wonderful 1991 movie,  “Defending Your Life” by Albert Brooks.  Highly recommended!  (Best scene stealer:  Shirley MacLaine.)

While Verizon changed the body of its press release to make it clear that they don’t support handsfree driving, they still the same (and now contradictory) headline: . . . → Read More: Verizon Changes Position: Please Hold the Wheel When Driving]]> Shortly after we contacted Verizon’s PR guy, Jeffrey Nelson and told him about Verizon’s shocking policy of advocating handsfree driving,  the press release was, ah, amended in part.

While Verizon changed the body of its press release to make it clear that they don’t support handsfree driving, they still the same (and now contradictory) headline: “Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving.”

Here is the revised press release, with the additions highlighted in red.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for handsfree use of wireless phones while driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement: “When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless
has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies.

Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving. “Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Now, I don’t believe that hand-free driving is a very good idea, and I suspect that . . . → Read More: Verizon Urges You to Take Your Hands off the Wheel While Driving?!]]> In a shocking turn of events, Verizon Wireless is now advocating “hand-free driving.”  In fact, according to Verizon Wireless’s Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein, “Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free driving laws.”

Now, I don’t believe that hand-free driving is a very good idea, and I suspect that most people don’t either, but when one of the largest international wireless and telecom firms makes a resounding statement of support like Verizon has, I guess you have to sit down and take a closer look at the core values you believe in.

Okay, I just did, and one of my core values is to hold on to the wheel while driving.

I urge you: Please, keep your hands on the wheel while you drive!

Here’s the exact text of Verizon’s press release, issued this very day. . .

Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving

07/08/2010

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for hands-free driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement:

“When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies. Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving.

“Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Perhaps Verizon’s PR department needs a new proof-reader. The one who reviewed this press release may be in danger of committing ‘hand-free editing.’

-Jonathan

PS: The link below will show you the actual press release.

VerizonWirelessHandsFree.20100708

The firm of Curry & Kerlinger, LLC (who serve as “consultants to the wind power industry on birds and other wildlife issues”) has an interesting set of stats about the various ways that birds are killed each year:

Deaths annually from (descending ranking):

As reported in the July 7, 2008 edition of RCR news, the top three deadliest jobs are:

#1 Tower erectors/climbers: 183.6 deaths per 100,000 (18 . . . → Read More: Tower Climbing: The Most Deadly Job in the US]]> According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (with additional data from WirelessEstimator.com), the Discovery Channel has it all wrong: The deadliest job in the U.S. isn’t fishing; it’s tower climbing.

As reported in the July 7, 2008 edition of RCR news, the top three deadliest jobs are:

#1 Tower erectors/climbers: 183.6 deaths per 100,000 (18 deaths)
#2 Fishers and fishing workers: 141.7 deaths per 100,000 (51deaths)
#3 Aircraft pilots: 87.8 deaths per 100,000 (101 deaths)