2mo ago

Germany: Three construction workers fall to their death

www.wsws.org

9 comments

As they were being hoisted up to their workplace on a bridge pier in a man-sized cage attached to a crane the steel cable above them snapped and the cage plummeted.
WTF!?
At a height of up to 90 metres
90 metres! ALL depending on one rusty cable!?
It is also striking that the transport gondola was attached to only one cable and that there were no other safety devices.
IDK if this is normal, but goddam I wouldn't want to work under such poor safety conditions.
RIP brave workers, hopefully this will result in stronger safety measures.
- That was the striking thing to me as well. One cable with no backup safety mechanisms. Unbelievable.
  
  Unfortunately very believable to anyone with a familiarity with this type of accident (the type where worker/customer safety depends on management decisions) throughout history.
- Safety regulations are often written in blood unfortunately.
  RIP
- Yeah it is normal on cranes (not 100% about Germany), but the single line (whip) is more than suitable for the weight of man baskets, and it is much faster as you're not going through as many sheaves. Usually you attach the main connector to the hook and the safety line to the cable above the hook, but not connected to the cable like using a shackle to loop over the cable.. So if for some reason the hook on the main connector fails you still have the cable above the hook, but if the cable itself fails then that's it you're done.
  Usually cables are inspected but unfortunately shit can still happen.
Soooo many broken regulations
Are there typically secondary systems used in these scenarios? Was the company performing regular inspections and maintenance on the crane? The article doesn't say.
- At least in the US, secondary systems are mandatory, as are inspections. I would have to imagine those are required, but werent getting done.
- I'm German and I worked in an office with managers and engineers who had a background in construction or related jobs. There is a very strong attitude of "We didn't need that bullshit back when I was an apprentice." There is a lot of scoffing at people who wear saftey gear and follow the rules. Corners are being cut and safety rules ignored because "we didn't need all that bullshit back then and losing a finger or two is just part of the job".
  Some German news articles mention that the company in charge of the project had a bad track record when it comes to following safety regulations and the very same construction site had to be stopped before due to broken bolts in the bridge.

9 comments