Updated – I added another link but I don’t have much more information. I understand he had 6 years of climbing experience and was working a guyed tower. Not sure what height he was at when this happened but rumors are that he was coming down to assist another climber on a lighting issue. If you know his family, please mention that TFF and Hubble foundations are out there to help them. The links are below.
I have been so busy this week that I didn’t catch that we had another terrible loss in the industry. From what I hear it is the first tower climber death of 2016. I have 2 articles so far and I am looking for looking for more information, so if you have something please let me know by emailing me at wade4wireless@gmail.com as soon as you can.
According to the Wireless Estimator article that I have listed below, 28-year-old Stefan Watermann died from serious injuries related to a fall from the tower yesterday. He was from Anamosa, Il, according to this article and another from KCCI, also listed below. The accident happened in Hamilton county according to the reports.
I hope OSHA can tell us what we need to know and why this happened and how to prevent it from happening again.
Join me in a prayer for this young man and let’s add to that prayer that there are no more fatalities in 2016.
In other news, Wireless Estimator reported that another man, Wesley Scott who was a climber for Advanced Cellular Solutions of Coppell, Tx, got seriously injured when both of his lanyards gates failed after he slipped on the tower. He fell roughly 40 feet and landed on an ice bridge, but he should recover. Thank GOD he missed the posts, they would have impaled him.! That link is found here.
When you say a prayer, say it for both of these men who work hard each day on steel in the air.
Please remember that there are 2 organizations that can help these families! The Hubble Foundation and The Tower Family Foundation (www.towerfamilyfoundation.org). Please, if you know these families, then reach out to them with this information so that they can get some assistance ASAP! Let them know that you care!
http://www.rcrwireless.com/20160219/cell-tower-news/first-tower-death-of-2016-tag8?omhide=true
http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Fall-from-Cell-Tower-Kills-Anamosa-Man-369291901.html
http://www.kcci.com/news/man-working-on-cellphone-tower-falls-to-his-death/38061628
Newsletter sign-up!
OSHA is asking for public comment on Safety and Management, click here.
Be smart, be safe, and pay attention!
Scope of Work tutorial for the contractor.
Give to the Hubble Foundation because if you don’t help these families, who will? Who supports Hubble? The wireless workers and the tower climbers, that’s who! With no support from the carriers or NATE, so it’s up to you! What if it were you? Would you want help? Who would help you if you were hurt? Who would help your family, your spouse, your children if something happened to you? Do you see the people who are hurt?