13.01.2015

Seeing the light

A reader in the Netherlands has sent in an image of a man risking his life by using a street light as a platform support while working on a building’s gutter downpipe.

In order to reach the downpipe he has placed a well-worn plank of wood between a step ladder on a balcony and the wall mounted lamp holder. The chances of the wooden plank slipping, or the lamp post breaking free from its brackets or the wall are very high - not to mention a slip or wrong step from a totally unprotected platform. Even the slightest of movements could be enough to throw the man and platform off balance.

Although the picture does not give a clear indication to the exact height he is working at we can assume that it is between four and six metres. At least he has taken the time to add a wooden block to the underside of the planks in order to ensure it is level...
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Definitely one for our Death Wish series.