Tower climbers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Oftentimes they are hundreds of feet in the air, battling the elements to keep you connected. It is not a job for the faint of heart.
In this edition of “Gigs,” we look at the life of a tower climber to find out what they do, what it takes to survive and how the industry has changed over the years. We talked to two veterans of the industry to get their perspective on these issues and more.
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Jeff Henry of Quality Antenna Services in Ohio and Corie Fontenot of Wisconsin-based Tower MRL have more than 40 years in the industry. They shared their unique stories of how they ended up in the business, as well as some perspective on the skills and mindset that you need to be a tower climber.
Tower climbers are a tight-knit group that rely on one another to stay safe and stay alive everyday. Henry, a 20 year veteran of the industry, got his start as a tower climber later than most. He first started climbing towers in his late-thirties and now runs Quality Antenna Services. He says one of the biggest changes that he has seen in the industry is the quality of worker. According to Henry, climbers have become more responsible and more safety aware.
Fontenot, who started in the industry at age 17, has climbed the ladder from tower tech to foreman to operations manager to project manager and is now the safety manager for Tower MRL. As a safety manager, he is acutely aware of the changes that have taken place over the years with regards to safety.
“It went from just a single belt…you would have a little rope tied to the tower,” Fontenot says, “eventually leg straps became part of the rig, and now it is a full body harness, hard hats, chin straps. Multiple levels of standards have been upgraded along the way.”
Fontenot wants people to know that tower climbers are not just thrill seekers or wrench turners, but that they have many technical skills and are crucial to the lifeblood of today’s connected world.
He says: “You don’t find many electricians that can make their union wage on the ground willing to climb the tower to assist the electrical work, therefore, it is placed in out hands. We are the backbone of America’s networks…anytime you have to rely on 911, that was built by tower climbers.”
When looking for potential employees, Henry asks only two things: are you scared of heights and can you leave personal issues at home? After all, when your life depends on focus of others, a clear mind could save your life. Many climbers can attest to that.
This story is a perfect example of what can go wrong when someone loses focus on the job. It is part of a new segment from RCRtv called “Tower Stories.”
The regulation process is still growing in the tower industry. The National Association of Tower Erectors have been working with major carriers and infrastructure companies on new standards. They recently unveiled their plans for a National Wireless Safety Alliance at NATE UNITE 2015.
For more information on equipment, training, salary, benefits and skills required to be a tower climber, go to RCRWireless.com.
For more on the tower industry, check out our Cell Tower News. For job postings, go to TelecomCareers.net.
