Wiley answered with what seemed no one else mentioned - a line up there with you so if the control fails (like Hi-Ranger's pneumatic pistol-grip sometimes does, especially with twig build-up and such) it's a safe way down. It's a few weeks of frustrating slivers in the groin if one has to "shimmy" down the boom and the risk of sliding-off while doing so is high.
Annual State inspections of cable support, hydraulic leaks, or controls including pumps and valves for certification aren't mandatory, then owners sometimes just let it go to work and keep the fluid levels up. Sometimes a newby might even add a gallon of hydraulic fluid when the manual indicates POWER STEERING FLUID and that afternoon in the heat someone's going to get a surprize or a hastened job site when the crew's been bangin' out lot's of work from location to location and someone forgot to drop the outriggers and you're up to 72 feet swinging to the other side when the truck starts to tilt. Pucker-up that bung hole, it's quite a ride.
You'll get used to it Tom, perhaps suggesting from here you get the "suspenders to add that extra bit 'o safety for yer old spine, just in case. Some days the bucket's a great place to watch the world from. Even climbing the bigger tops, it's a good place to save energy when you leave the bucket to climb that last 20 feet.
Trust in mechanics and keep sure the crew keeps things under watchful eye and the shop is an important a place as the tie-in points when you're up 60 feet. Just like helicopter maintenance for a life flight or news crew.
