problem is that the distance between the safety harness and the tower (that 6ft or 2m lanyard) will drop you the same distance before breaking your fall. Such a drop may cause serious muscle or back injury that is difficult to recover from. A steel wire lanyard does not cause an abrupt stop and should hurt less. You can consult Flexible Lifeline Systems ( www.fall-arrest.com) for the right gear. These are usually long nylon ropes called lifelines that are attached to the tower's top and bottom. A "rope grabber" on the rope is clipped to the harness, allowing you to slide the grabber up and down the lifeline as you climb or descend (like rock climbing).

If you fall, the weight of your body causes the rope grabber to grip the lifeline tightly and break your fall. A normal descent involves shuffling the rope grabber down the lifeline bit by bit, by lifting and sliding the grabber. At the top of the tower, the lifeline connection limits your freedom of movement. To counteract this, you can use a short piece of lanyard between the safety harness and rope grabber.

Other forms of fall protection include the following:

• Have all your tools in a pouch that is fitted and sealed. Both hands are required to climb the tower.
• Wear non-slip work boots and leather gloves. Tower rungs can be very rough and slippery from leaves, dust, pollen and dew.
• The right way to climb the tower is to move only one hand or foot at a time; that is, release one hand to reach out for the next rung and grip it well before lifting your foot.
• Ensure that the turbine is immobilized with a brake switch or furl the machine before proceeding. Do not work when it is windy.
• Wear a hard hat. The turbine can turn with a light breeze and hit you.
• Do not work alone on the tower; have a buddy assisting you from the ground where necessary.
• Ensure that your ground assistants are outside the range of dropped nuts and bolts. A bolt dropping 100 feet (30 m) can be like a bullet.

As always where safety is concerned, do not compromise on cost and don't take stupid risks.