ALWAYS WEAR A HARNESS

Dear RER:

I wanted to send a quick note regarding a photo shown in the April 2007 issue on the Contents page and again on page 26. In the photo you show two people not wearing harnesses in the platform of a boom lift — a no-no. A harness should always be worn when in the platform, even if it is not elevated. The problem is that many people in rental companies think it is OK to operate the unit without wearing harnesses if they are not elevated. This is most often the case with delivery people, service technicians and salespeople. By showing this photo you are depicting a violation. (I know they are only using the lift as a prop for the photo but it still shows a violation of safety procedures.)

William Hindman, president
Industrial Marketing Services
Elk Grove Village, Ill.

Editor's note: We are also very concerned with safety and thank you for calling this to our attention.

THAT'S AN AERIAL SPECIALIST DRIVING THE TRUCK!

Dear RER:

Thank you for your excellent article regarding women in the rental business in your April 2007 issue. In 2000, United Rentals hired me as an outside sales representative for its Aerial Equipment Division in Modesto, Calif. At that time, I was one of very few women out here doing what I do.

Now, seven years later, there are a few more of us. Two years ago I moved on to a great family-owned rental company, American Scissor Lift in Sacramento, Calif. Once again, a brave sales manager took a chance and hired me when he had many qualified male sales applicants to choose from. It is better now; I no longer get calls from my manager telling me that someone called in to report that someone's wife (me) was driving the company truck around town!

Carol Furtado, aerial equipment specialist
American Scissor Lift
Sacramento, Calif.