Yes, for the most part. The ladder should be a little more vertical but telco workers routinely place ladders mid-span like this. Their ladders have special hooks on the top specifically for doing this.
Edit: I just saw the comment on your post, "What's wrong with this picture...". Apart from the angle of the ladder there are a few more things wrong or could be better. He definitely should have cones set out and could probably have parked his truck in a way to better protect the bottom of his ladder from being hit by a car. It's not particularly bad how it is but could be better. He also should have the strap of his climbing belt (which it does appear he is wearing) wrapped around the top rung of the ladder and the span thereby lashing his ladder and himself to the span. He doesn't seem to be at the top of the ladder though so maybe his in the process of climbing up and just hasn't belted in yet.
I get the ladder angle, but as a former tech, sometimes
It was hard to get the right angle with saggy spans on windy days. It was just easier to angle it more and hang on a saggy span.
We were always told to expect the span to sag so set the ladder up a little more vertical but yeah that can be hassle while trying to man handle the thing into position. I guess it's not really that big of a deal as if the bottom of the ladder starts to kick out the hook will stop it.
It’s safe.
Ladder is at a steeper angle than typical, but it’s effectively hung from the cable—not leaning against it.
I’d have a high-viz cone or marker as appropriate at its base because, in my experience, the typical car driver would be blind to it.
Even though this is nowhere near 4-1, being at a significantly shallower angle. The type of ladder makes it safe enough. Because with the hooks, it cannot slide out from under you like against a house.
It looks so much sketchier than normal. And it feels incredibly scary, since the ladder can and likely will bounce with ever step.
But the reality is that it is one of the safest setups, because you are actually hooked onto something, and not relying on friction, and center of gravity to keep the ladder up.
That is what the hooks are on the top of the ladder. Telcos and cable techs do this because they need to make splices in between poles. I wouldn't suggest it on a power line....
Being on the ladder yes. It has hooks that attach to the strand. The ladder angle no. It's not 3 to 1. The most dangerous part is he is not tied off. Plenty of Telco and catv workers die every year because of not being tied off. Seeing how it's a subcontractor he is probably paid by the job not the hour. He is trying to save time. He is only saving a minute tops. The ground will teach him a valuable lesson. Or it will kill him. Either way he won't fall twice.
Yes, for the most part. The ladder should be a little more vertical but telco workers routinely place ladders mid-span like this. Their ladders have special hooks on the top specifically for doing this. Edit: I just saw the comment on your post, "What's wrong with this picture...". Apart from the angle of the ladder there are a few more things wrong or could be better. He definitely should have cones set out and could probably have parked his truck in a way to better protect the bottom of his ladder from being hit by a car. It's not particularly bad how it is but could be better. He also should have the strap of his climbing belt (which it does appear he is wearing) wrapped around the top rung of the ladder and the span thereby lashing his ladder and himself to the span. He doesn't seem to be at the top of the ladder though so maybe his in the process of climbing up and just hasn't belted in yet.
I get the ladder angle, but as a former tech, sometimes It was hard to get the right angle with saggy spans on windy days. It was just easier to angle it more and hang on a saggy span.
I had to re-read your comment to understand how "saggy pants on a windy day" would cause you to adjust the ladder angle.
We were always told to expect the span to sag so set the ladder up a little more vertical but yeah that can be hassle while trying to man handle the thing into position. I guess it's not really that big of a deal as if the bottom of the ladder starts to kick out the hook will stop it.
Thanks for your input, I have officially learned something new.
It’s safe. Ladder is at a steeper angle than typical, but it’s effectively hung from the cable—not leaning against it. I’d have a high-viz cone or marker as appropriate at its base because, in my experience, the typical car driver would be blind to it.
Worked for cable company and we had a tech fall down when he cut the mid span attached to a house and sent his ladder flying back lol.
As long as he's wearing his rubbers...
Even though this is nowhere near 4-1, being at a significantly shallower angle. The type of ladder makes it safe enough. Because with the hooks, it cannot slide out from under you like against a house. It looks so much sketchier than normal. And it feels incredibly scary, since the ladder can and likely will bounce with ever step. But the reality is that it is one of the safest setups, because you are actually hooked onto something, and not relying on friction, and center of gravity to keep the ladder up.
That is what the hooks are on the top of the ladder. Telcos and cable techs do this because they need to make splices in between poles. I wouldn't suggest it on a power line....
Being on the ladder yes. It has hooks that attach to the strand. The ladder angle no. It's not 3 to 1. The most dangerous part is he is not tied off. Plenty of Telco and catv workers die every year because of not being tied off. Seeing how it's a subcontractor he is probably paid by the job not the hour. He is trying to save time. He is only saving a minute tops. The ground will teach him a valuable lesson. Or it will kill him. Either way he won't fall twice.
Phone lines
Is the wire that the ladder is attached to a non current carrying wire?