SAFETY DEVICE
for Elevated Workers
"It
was January 03, 1989 at 11:55 in the morning; I was working
in my bucket along with another journeyman in his bucket,
cutting over existing distribution to a new elevated pole.
Both poles were adjacent to each other and I had just finished
the work on my pole and was elevating alongside and up to
the new cross arm. The next thing I knew I was flat on my
back lying on the asphalt. Although I was at my limit in boom
extension I could still elevate which I was in the process
of doing when the boom bolts that were defective on my truck
failed, the boom collapsed, and I ended up on the asphalt
road. I was out of the bucket and flat on my back.
I have been on crutches ever since and have never walked again
on my own legs. I have constant back pain and recently had
my left leg amputated. I also have plenty of time on my hands
to think about what if. Had the 'Wishbone' dual
safety tether been available to me I would have been secured
to both the pole as well as the bucket. When the boom failed
the 'Wishbone' would have released the connection
to the bucket and I would have been safely hanging from the
pole. I wish I had the 'Wishbone' back then, make
sure you have it today!
Take the time now to be safe, or you may spend the rest of
your time wishing you had. Don't just wish for safety,
use good safety practices, and use the 'Wishbone'
every time you're elevated."
Work Safe,
Ken
Hartwell - Accident Victim - Monroe, New Hampshire