Very few tower climbers will need to buy their own RF meter, as companies are required by OSHA regulations to supply them to their employees. If a basic one is being used however, some employees will opt to have their own. One that they are familiar with and trust, one that they take care of […]
The blog
Choosing Tower Climbing Gloves
A good and resilient pair of work gloves can make all the difference in the work day. There are literally thousands of different types of gloves, each with their own specific purposes. When choosing a pair for tower climbing, they have to be a balance between durability and climbing functionality. What you need to know […]
Helmet Safety
The helmet is arguably the most important piece of climbing equipment. Many may be asking… “If I fall from 1000 feet, what is a helmet going to do?” But, as any experienced climber will tell you, falling is not the only risk. Helmets protect from debris, especially on windy days, they protect from hitting head […]
Hidden Communication Jobs
When people think of the communication industry, and the jobs within it, they usually think of broadcasters, cell phone providers, and cameramen and women. But, there are so many jobs hidden below the surface that make every facet of communication possible. These are the unseen, behind the scene, and little known about career fields that […]
Tower Dawg Skills
When people hear the term tower climber, their minds fill with an image of thrill seekers, dangling 1,500 feet in the air, and they get a very glamorous image. There are many other qualities besides not having a fear of heights that makes a good tower climber. The average tower is 200′-1500′ in the air. […]
Tower Climber Hall of Shame
In 2010, a video was circulating that showed a “tower dawg” climbing without the use of any safety gear. This video was intended to show a first hand perspective of what a day as a tower climber is like. This video caused an outrage and panic, and has since been removed. Free climbing is very […]
The Early Years of Tower Climbing
While tower climbing is still considered one of the most dangerous jobs, not just in the US but worldwide, it has come a long way in the past 60, 40, 20 and 10 years. The emphasis on safety in recent years has become a priority that was not around when the first towers were being […]
Tower Climber Crew Chief – Foreman
Each “Tower Dog” is responsible for their safety and the safety of their crewmates, it’s a combination of training and common sense. Crew chiefs are responsible for overseeing every member of their crew, for surveillance of the site, and for all subsequent paperwork that is needed. Being a crew chief is a huge responsibility and […]
From climbing rocks to climbing towers
With a field boasting as many opportunities as tower climbing, it comes as a surprise that more women are not engaging in active employment within the field. Those that are, assume the role of trail-blazers in a predominately male industry. Out of an approximately 9,000 tower climbers in the USA, only 15 were female. The […]
Female Tower Climbers
Tower climbing is one of the few remaining fields that seems to be over 95% male dominated. While rare, female tower climbers are not unheard of. In 2005, the US saw less than a dozen female tower climbers, the numbers aren’t much higher almost a decade later. Unlike the majority of the jobs in the […]