Once you get over the view looking down, and no you can't avoid it, it is safer than hooking a pole. Look at the rigging. They are in a full harness, on a rope and tied off too, see the pelican hook? Even the climb up, on most masts has a steel cable you hook to. You can't fall a foot on the steel and no more than 6 on the lanyards.
This is CABL.com posting #272017. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mbiVx