Jeff,
The old RA (Ready Access) terminals / splice closures were easy to mess up and not get back together so they were a mess.
Terminals were cut in within 18 inches of the pole (or 24 inches of the gain bolt) but construction splices were normally 36-48 inches from the pole (bigger the cable the further out due to bend radius).
GTE in some regions used to require 5 feet from the pole as a way of keeping installers out of the cable! Then only splicers with a cable ladder (later bucket trucks) could reach it and not destroy the splice.
As far as using cable ladders on strand --- no big deal IF it is equipped with cable hooks. Some have a cable sling to hold the ladder under the cable and you could attach a "diving board" onto the ladder to stand or sit on while you worked. If the equipment is properly equipped and secured it is about as safe as sitting in your local bar.
Seeing as you brought up safety, ALL telephone work is hazardous in some way or the other. Heights, overhead power, confined spaces (manholes), pulling in contorted positions, up ladders, using power tools, yes, work can be hazardous. Find an old outside plant man without hemroids, who didn't ever smoke, never drank coffee, never burnt a pole, and never dropped a tool from a pole, ---- well ---- either he's the luckest person alive or a good liar.
There is an old saying "There is no such thing as an OLD dumb lineman". If you aren't smart enough to be aware of the dangers, you won't live long enough to get old. Lots of old time lineman can vouch for that --- just check for the missing pinkie finger that the winch line squeezed off. that was their warning.
Have a great evening,
KLD
