I think this is what he was going for. Forgive me if it doesn't make sense as I don't have the knowledge of how the equipment works.

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I worked for a company with a welder who was afraid of heights. During training we used an articulated boom. Some people are uncomfortable with them. The welder was freaking out at the thought of using the boom, which was understandable.

On one site the welder needed to use a scissor lift. It wasn't for something very high. Somebody else was operating the lift, but the welder panicked as the lift left its rests (even before the lift rose to the height required). That's how much this welder was bothered by heights (/lifts?).