Jump to content

Thought for today - 11 Aug


AlanHo
 Share

Recommended Posts

I am too scared to look down from tall buildings. :D

Tall buildings never bother me - but being up a ladder is quite another matter - I hate it.

It stems from an incident a few years back when I was engineering manager at a large rolling mill where we had some steel chimneys 180 foot tall.

During annual maintenance the steeplejack reported that the angle capping at the top of one chimney was loose and needed repair. Much against my will - I had to go up to verify the job.

There was a vertical ladder up the side of the chimney with safety hoops. I went first - the steeplejack followed. I made damned sure not to look down. When I got to the top I could see that the angle capping was loose and shouted down to the steeplejack that we could return to the safety of ground level. However - he climbed out of the ladder and shinned up the safety hoops, stepped over my shoulder and walked around the rim of the chimney to the opposite side. The chimney was about 8 foot diameter and the top with its brick lining was about 10 inches wide. He strolled around the top, bending down to push and pull at the angle to show how loose it was, with his coat at 45 degrees in the wind and without any safety harness. Elf 'n safety today would have a blue fit. I was totally petrified at the sight and froze on the ladder.

He eventually climbed back over me and started to descend - but I was stuck to the ladder with fear. The next thing I know he is tugging on one of my legs to get me to the next rung down - but I just couldn't do it. It took him at least an hour to get me down the chimney and I have suffered from a morbid fear of ladders ever since.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Which rolling mill was it? Non ferrous or a steel mill? I used to do very good business with both types. :D :D

James Booth Aluminium, Kitts Green, Birmingham - which via take-overs by Delta metals, Kaiser Aluminum etc is now ALCOA's plate mill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Which rolling mill was it? Non ferrous or a steel mill? I used to do very good business with both types. :D :D

James Booth Aluminium, Kitts Green, Birmingham - which via take-overs by Delta metals, Kaiser Aluminum etc is now ALCOA's plate mill.

I know them well. They anneal large blocks of aluminium which are conveyed through the furnace by very wide stainless steel roller brushes. These are used in place of solid rollers so that they will not pick up scale which could cause the aluminium blocks to divert into the sides of the furnace. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy