Steeplejack

The profession of steeplejack is reserved for a general craftsman who is prepared to scale tall buildings and in particular church steeples with the object of carrying out general repairs. Although the job is perceived by outsiders as dangerous it is actually less risky than more mundane jobs, as the workers are forced by "their position" to be very alert.

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Britain's most famous steeplejack was Fred Dibnah, from Bolton, who was awarded an MBE by the Queen.

Related Topics:
Fred Dibnah - MBE

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Steeplejacks erect ladders on church spires, industrial chimneys, cooling towers, bell towers, clock towers, or any other high inaccesible structure.

Related Topics:
Church - Spire - Chimney

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Once ladders have been erected the next stage is usually to hang (suspend) a bosun's chair (a strong wooden plank on which the steeplejack can sit very comfortably, pull himself upwards or lower himself downwards, or sit in a stationary position).

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Once this has been done it is possible to use this access to begin building a scaffold to carry out any repairs which may be required. This is done by fixing anchors into the wall (whether concrete, stone, or brick) and "kicking" the scaffold off from there.

Related Topics:
Scaffold - Anchor

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It is also possible to carry out major repairs from "suspended access cradles". These are the same type of "rigs" many people will have seen window cleaners using on skyscrapers. The cradle is suspended from 4 wires. Two of these run through an electric motor which can "climb" or "descend" the wire, and the other two run freely through a small but reassuring box which allows the cradle to travel upwards with no obstruction, but will stop it instantly if it starts to fall. These "suspended access cradles" are popularly called "swing stages" by their crews.

Related Topics:
Window cleaner - Skyscraper

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Steeplejacks are called upon to repair or replace masonry (brick, stone or concrete), carry out general carpentry or painting or roof repair, remove and clean and repair windows, as well as sandblasting and other masonry cleaning tasks.

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