Unsecured Lifted Load Fatality

All Lifted Materials MUST Be Secured

The article below from The Observer by Sue Buck notes that a worker was killed by falling roofing materials being lifted by a crane in Ann Arbor.

While Sue's article states that, according to the Police, there was no crime. This may be true as far as the Police are concerned, but in reality, THERE WAS A CRIME COMMITTED.

The laws that were broken pertained to OSHA Regulations. These regulations make statements that all loads lifted must be secured to prevent them from falling. Also, no workers are to be exposed to materials being lifted over their work area. This area should have been cleared of workers within the lift area.

There was absolutely no reason for this incident, not an accident, should have occured. In accordance of the new crane standards, the Operator, Rigger(s) and the Lift Supervisor must be trained and certified in the proper safe methods of making ALL lifts. The apparent lack of this procedure makes no Horse Sense and makes Donkeys out of a situation that should not have happened.

Construction site accident claims life of GC man

By Sue Buck • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • June 25, 2009

• • 9Del.icio.us
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The service for Gary Winisky Jr., 48, will be at 1 p.m. at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 31551 Ford. Garden City. Mr. Winisky was struck by roofing material that fell from a crane while he was working at the site of the new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. He died in the emergency room at the university's medical center.

According to Diane Brown, the public information officer for the University of Michigan Police Department, the incident occurred at 9:52 a.m. when a large, heavy load of roofing material fell off a crane and landed on the man. He died at 10:38 a.m.

“He was crushed,” Brown said.

Autopsy results are pending, and there has been a determination that no crime occurred. The incident is being handled as an accident by the police. However, the state OSHA investigation will look into whether or not equipment failed, safety precautions were or weren't followed and whether there was any “fault” for the accident. The report could take several few weeks.

Mr. Winisky worked for Schreiber Roofing in Detroit, a subcontractor of Barton Malow. The person answering the phone at Schreiber said that she wasn't at liberty to make any comments, and the manager did not return a call to the Observer.

Mott Children's Hospital, which is under construction, is the “replacement” hospital for the current facility. It's located on East Medical Center Drive in Ann Arbor and south of University Hospital.

There have been no other accidents at that construction site. However, this is the third construction death on campus in less than two years. A masonry worker fell 38 feet from scaffolding and was killed at the site of Michigan's Museum of Art in February 2008. In August 2008, a man fell five stories down an elevator shaft at the business school.

Visitation for Mr. Winisky is 3-9 p.m. today, June 25. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, daughters Krystal Marie and Tiffany Ann, granddaughter Destanie Jasmin Salas, father Gary Winisky Sr., siblings Michelle Winisky and Reed Chambers and many nieces and a nephew.

sbuck@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2014