Chinese Balancing Act 

 Photo & story by:  Debbie Stock

On the road near Suzhou, China―As our bus passed through the countryside, several men were working on utility lines. With feet balanced on a line much like a high wire acrobat performing daring feats for an audience, one worker clad with safety helmet and gloves—had no net underneath him to spot a potential fall. There's a 50% survival rate with falls from this height.

While this type of activity may have occurred decades ago in the U.S., such practices are not permitted today. It is amazing that the technician on the wire was not safely secured in a "bucket" or "cherry picker". He's apparently learned how to "balance" his career tasks. But let's hope he never forgets about that thin line between loving your job and losing it.

NOTE: I have worked in public utilities for both electric and telephone companies. Rarely do workers sustain injuries from accidents related to pole climbing and unexpected incidences but to see someone standing on a line like this Chinese worker pictured—that's unheard of!

Next photo: Lingyin Temple & Li Gong Pagoda