How to become an underpaid monkey
It surprised me that there was no formal policy on working at heights before the early 2000s. In the early part of my time it was expected of you to get up there, somehow, and get the job done without falling off. I was terrified of working at heights and would not even go up a step ladder if I could avoid it. As time went on, however, it was made clear to me that it was part of the job and so up I went, learning how to juggle an AVO meter, oil can, various spanners, cleaning fluids, and cloths. The principle was straightforward: keep three points of contact at all times, that is two feet and...