Debate: Climbing a 300 foot tower crane vs ground operating the same load, which is safer?

I was up on a job site in Phoenix last Tuesday watching the tower crane operator climb down after his shift. The guy had to do a 300 foot vertical ladder climb just to get to the cab, then another 200 feet up to the jib for maintenance. Meanwhile the ground operator just stood there with a remote control. Makes me wonder if the height risk is worth the better visibility you get from the cab. Which side do you guys lean toward when you have the choice?

2 comments

2 Comments

elizabeththomas51m ago

Jump right into it then. Ngl, the whole 'trust the radio signal' thing reminds me of that time my TV remote stopped working because the cat sat on it. Now imagine that with a 2 ton steel beam swinging over a crew. Honestly, I'd take the ladder climb too, but only if someone's spotting me from below with a cold drink waiting at the top. Tbh, the only thing worse than a signal dropout is having to pee halfway up a 300 foot ladder.

the_sam9h ago

Haven't you ever had a close call with radio interference or line-of-sight issues on a ground remote? I'd take the ladder climb any day over trusting a signal that could drop out when you're swinging a load over a crew.