02/10/2019
A Note From The Founder/Owner:
To our most valued customers and clients (both past and future),
It is with deep regret to announce the temporary closure of Comm1 Towers. Since 2009, we have been the leader of tower safety with a relentless 14+ year accident-free safety record, not including our continued record since the start in 2001. However, an unforseen physical injury occurred to myself that fortunately was not related to any projects or contracts. My knees finally gave out, and it was a rude awakening when I realized this.
Most people don't understand the strenous exertion and heavy loads a tower climber experiences while on a tower structure. Aside from your typical 40 lb full-body harness, you have safety lanyards that can weigh an additional 30-50 lbs, hand tools that add another 20 lbs, and ropes with accessories that are an additional 50+ lbs. Figure this into the weight of your own body, and imagine climbing with all this weight vertically up a rung-ladder or peg-ladder with steps that are spaced 8-12 inches apart. Now imagine doing this for 8+ hours each day with lunch breaks on the tower itself. -- This is just basic tower climbing. Very similar to being forced to play on a playground all day long, but vertically.
Now imagine hauling up heavy antennas, cables, parts, steel pipes, lighting, etc along with this weight, and you have yourself an excellent example of what us climbers go through each and every day. Of course, this does not include the harsh weather conditions such as extreme heats, icy winters, heavy winds, or dry/wet humidities! And we're in pretty good shape too!
The day I realized this was it, was in the fall of 2014 when I finished a short 3-hour job installing a 7' antenna on a side arm. It was a very easy day and all went smoothly, but when I got to the ground and unhooked my lanyard from the tower, my knees buckled and my body collapsed onto the rough gravel at the base of the tower. Luckily my ground crew rushed to my aid and helped me back to the truck, but no one could rescue me from what I was feeling emotionally at that moment. -- It hit hard, and it hurt.
We brag constantly about our safety records, being safe at all times, and always maintaining our health. Following our safety guidelines, I chose to step down for a while and let my crew do most of my work to maintain our safe work environment. This was the only way to practice what we preach, no matter the hardships it may cause. We are an example to this industry, and I intended to prove as such!
Our clients rely heavily on me and my skills, which unfortunately do not pass on to my staff and crew. While my climbers are very capable of physically completing jobs and projects, they rely on me to provide engineered direction and decisions on the tower as well as off. As we are also a contract-based company (meaning we only work when new contracts come in), the team decided to take a break and pursure other areas of their life during this time.
So in March of 2015, I made the hard decision to temporarily close Comm1 Towers and focus solely on getting my knees back in shape so I can work hard for my clients once more. We're not gone, nor will this be the end; it's just a short break until I am physically ready to return and get back on the tower once again.
For all my clients, I still have excellent relations with other tower service companies should you request referrals, along with freelance climbers who I personally recommend. I refuse to leave you hanging without a solution. Even if you have questions, shoot me an email and let's talk! I'd love to hear from you and catch up!
As always, whether it's today, next month, or 15 years from now, we'll still be here for you and look forward to working with you in the near future.
Sincerely,
D. Ryan Seregow
Founder/Owner
