How's Your Attitude?

The following article by Associated Construction Publications is one of the best I've seen regarding excuses from workers and companies who experience Fatal results to workers. This article makes Total Horse Sense to help stop these useless incidents.

6 Fatal Phrases

An Unsafe Attitude Can Lead to Construction-Site Woes

Staff -- Rocky Mountain Construction, 7/14/2008

Self-improvement professionals — from weight-loss experts to exercise gurus to motivational speakers — will tell you that attitude is everything. To make any type of positive change in your life, the change must first begin in yourown mind.

Unfortunately, an unsafe attitude toward workplace practices can have just as much influence on a person's behavior as a positive attitude — except for the worse. A potentially dangerous disregard for safety could lead to a serious workplace accident, especially in the heavy-construction industry.

What follows are six phrases, each reflecting an unsafe attitude that could lead to jobsite accidents.

"Whenever you hear one of these phrases or something similar on the job, you should pay close attention to the situation at hand," said Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM and American Safety Training Inc. These two companies work together to develop and provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance products and safety training. "You may be able to stop an accident before it has happened."

• "We don't have time."

Investing time in safety training ultimately saves far more time than it loses for companies. Work time is lost whenever an injury or illness occurs, and that employee's expertise is removed from the workplace. If an employee dies because of a workplace accident or illness, surely that is the most tragic loss of all. There's always time to train to work safely.

• "I know a shortcut."

People sometimes take shortcuts on the job because they are banking on the fact that nothing bad will happen. But these shortcuts can lead to complex problems.

"Shortcuts can often lead to disaster," Mangan said. "For example, a worker may decide to use too short a ladder to reach the roof of a building because he doesn't want to find and transport a longer one. A ladder should extend three feet beyond the top of a building, so the worker can step off the ladder onto the roof. If the worker uses one that's too short and has to climb up onto the roof, he could experience a nasty fall. On the 2005 list of OSHA's 10 most commonly violated regulations, 'Ladders' was entry No. 10, so one's choice in ladders can be a crucial decision."

• "I think this is the right way to do it..."

"In our safety training classes," Mangan said, "we encourage safety professionals from a wide variety of industries to look up regulations whenever they are in doubt about a safety matter. Guessing or believing hearsay is always unwise."

• "Regulations don't change that often."

In truth, government regulations change on a fairly regular basis.

"Today's world is constantly changing, and each day brings new advances in technology. These changes are reflected in the regulations," Mangan explained.

Regulations should be considered as works constantly in progress, and it is up to employers to stay updated on the rules that affect their companies, he added.

• "We'll fix it later."

No employee should be allowed to work with damaged equipment, whether it is a ladder, a forklift, or even a hammer. A broken part can fly off and injure someone — and in the case of a vehicle, the machine may malfunction or even tip over. Defective items need to be taken out of commission immediately.

• "It's not in the budget."

Some people may think regular safety training is an expense that can be delayed or avoided altogether. But if an employee is injured or killed in an accident, the resulting medical expenses and possible OSHA fines would add up to an expense far greater than the cost of training. Safety instruction is always a worthwhile investment.

Ultimately, safety training leads to greater safety awareness and fewer work-related illnesses and accidents, which in turn means lower insurance costs and medical expenditures, as well as happier employees. Also, a decrease in accident-related downtime results in an increase in productivity.

"Some regulations may seem inconvenient or difficult to follow," Mangan said, "but many were created because at some point, a worker experienced an injury that could have been prevented. As a result, a solution to the problem was born. When you observe the regulations, you can avoid major problems and expenses and enjoy a safer workplace."

Story courtesy of MANCOMM and its partner company, American Safety Training Inc. For more, visit www.mancomm.com

New York Folk Using Horse Sense

Group Initiating Tower Crane Safety

The story below by Crain's New York Business.com is quite interesting regarding a good, Horse Sense, plan to get up to date safety regulations for the area. This is especially timely since it will be 1 to 3 years before Federal OSHA can get approved Standards up to date. There has been no updates on Crane Standards since 1971.

Way to go New York!

Construction industry forms safety group

The New York City Construction Industry Safety Council will establish a tower crane maintenance database that contractors will be able to consult before renting equipment.

July 01. 2008 2:32PM Daniel Massey

Buck Ennis

In the wake of two deadly crane accidents since March, the city’s construction industry on Tuesday announced the formation of an independent organization to promote safety on work sites across the five boroughs.

The 17-member New York City Construction Industry Safety Council will be made up of the city’s largest contractors, the Building and Construction Trades Council of New York, the Real Estate Board of New York and many of the trade associations that represent the construction industry. The council will bring industry leaders together for the first time to share safety procedures and expertise.

"Development cannot take place at the expense of public safety, and it’s going to take the industry’s cooperation to make construction sites safer," acting building commissioner Robert Limandri said in a statement. "The formation of the NYC Construction Industry Safety Council is a step toward that end, and I look forward to real results that raise the safety standards on job sites.”

The new group will be funded by its members, who, so far, have raised $500,000 to get it off the ground.

“We recognize that construction safety isn’t just a story because there was an accident,” said Steven Spinola, president of REBNY. “This is a long-term commitment to safety.”

The creation of the council comes as the city’s Buildings Department is preparing to propose a new series of crane safety regulations that will focus on maintenance and repair records. The City Council is also considering comprehensive construction-safety legislation.

The safety council’s first task will be to establish a tower crane maintenance database that contractors will be able to consult before renting equipment.

“Many of you have heard of the Car Fax system where you can go online and find out the maintenance information on any used car you’re going to buy,” said Louis Coletti, president and chief executive of the Building Trades Employers’ Association. “The concept is the same: a crane system to be able to get up-to-date information on cranes as they are delivered from site to site.”

The group will also research safety practices being used across the country and around the world and urge governmental agencies to adopt safety standards that all contractors should follow. For the first time, the group will bring contractors together to share safety information with each other.

"It used to be that our safety plan is a proprietary plan, my competitors’ safety plans are proprietary plans,” said Daniel Tishman, president and CEO of Tishman Construction Corp. “We’re now prepared to share best practices with each other relative to safety. Safety plans should not be a marketing advantage.”

Scaffolding Standards Reviewed

Scaffolding Safety

The article below by InjuryBoard.com spells out the 1910, General Industry Standards for Scaffolding. The 1926, Construction Standards for Scaffolding are in Subpart L, 1926.450 through 1926.454 and Appendix A through E.

Both standards are very similar, however either standard must be followed by the particular type work (General Industry or Construction) being performed on scaffolding. There are STRICT TRAINING requirements for Erectors and for PERSONS WORKING ON THE SCAFFOLDS. Competent Persons are required to be responsible for the erection, working from and disassembly of all scaffolding.

InjuryBoard.com has provide an excellent posting that makes total Horse Sense in the use of scaffolding in both General Industry and Construction Industry workplaces.

Construction Accidents - Scaffolding Safety Requirements

July 07, 2008 - 09:15 AM
Category: Workplace Injuries
Tags: construction, sites, accidents, scaffolding, osha, iosh
Posted by: Steve Lombardi

Two more workers have been injured on the construction site of the new K-8 school building under construction in Shenandoah. IOSH (Iowa's version of OSHA) and OSHA will investigate. Radio Iowa reports this is the second accident in which workers have been injured. In this most recent incident some scaffolding collapsed.

Whatever company is the general contractor needs to take charge and enforce safety rules for the protection of the workers. OSHA has specific rules to follow for scaffolding. Here are some general rules to follow when using scaffolding:

General Rules for scaffolding use:

- The wheels must be locked and rigid before climbing on the scaffolding.

- Persons using the scaffolding keep their center of gravity above the scaffolding.

- Scaffolding shall not be moved with someone on it.

- Scaffolding construction shall include all pins, braces and bolts.

- Planks and walk boards shall always be at least 36 inches below the top of the scaffolding.

- People shall not work below or in the fall-zone of the scaffolding.

- The “steps” on the side of the scaffolding shall be in a line.

OSHA has specific rules related to scaffolding use. For the lawyers here is are the relevant sections to review.

1910.28(a)(1)

Scaffolds shall be furnished and erected in accordance with this standard for persons engaged in work that cannot be done safely from the ground or from solid construction, except that ladders used for such work shall conform to 1910.25 and 1910.26.

1910.28(a)(2)

The footing or anchorage for scaffolds shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks shall not be used to support scaffolds or planks.

1910.28(a)(5)

Scaffolds and other devices mentioned or described in this section shall be maintained in safe condition. Scaffolds shall not be altered or moved horizontally while they are in use or occupied.

1910.28(a)(6)

Any scaffold damaged or weakened from any cause shall be immediately repaired and shall not be used until repairs have been completed.

1910.28(a)(17)

Scaffolds shall be provided with a screen between the toeboard and the guardrail, extending along the entire opening, consisting of No. 18 gauge U.S. Standard Wire one-half-inch mesh or the equivalent, where persons are required to work or pass under the scaffolds.

1910.28(a)(20)

Tools, materials, and debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in quantities to cause a hazard.

1910.28(a)(22)

Wire or fiber rope used for scaffold suspension shall be capable of supporting at least six times the intended load.

1910.28(d)

"Tubular welded frame scaffolds."

1910.28(d)(1)

Metal tubular frame scaffolds, including accessories such as braces, brackets, trusses, screw legs, ladders, etc., shall be designed and proved to safely support four times the maximum intended load.

1910.28(d)(2)

Spacing of panels or frames shall be consistent with the loads imposed.

..1910.28(d)(3)

1910.28(d)(3)

Scaffolds shall be properly braced by cross bracing or diagonal braces, or both, for securing vertical members together laterally, and the cross braces shall be of such length as will automatically square and aline vertical members so that the erected scaffold is always plumb, square, and rigid. All brace connections shall be made secure.

1910.28(d)(4)

Scaffold legs shall be set on adjustable bases or plain bases placed on mud sills or other foundations adequate to support the maximum intended load.

1910.28(d)(5)

The frames shall be placed one on top of the other with coupling or stacking pins to provide proper vertical alinement of the legs.

1910.28(d)(6)

Where uplift may occur, panels shall be locked together vertically by pins or other equivalent suitable means.

1910.28(d)(7)

Guardrails not less than 2 x 4 inches or the equivalent and not less than 36 inches or more than 42 inches high, with a mid-rail, when required, of 1- x 4-inch lumber or equivalent, and toeboards, shall be installed at all open sides on all scaffolds more than 10 feet above the ground or floor. Toeboards shall be a minimum of 4 inches in height. Wire mesh shall be installed in accordance with paragraph (a)(17) of this section.

1910.28(d)(8)

All tubular metal scaffolds shall be constructed and erected to support four times the maximum intended loads.

..1910.28(d)(9)

1910.28(d)(9)

To prevent movement, the scaffold shall be secured to the building or structure at intervals not to exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically.

1910.28(d)(10)

Maximum permissible spans of planking shall be in conformity with paragraph (a)(9) of this section.

1910.28(d)(11)

Drawings and specifications for all frame scaffolds over 125 feet in height above the base plates shall be designed by a registered professional engineer and copies made available to the employer and for inspection purposes.

1910.28(d)(12)

All tubular welded frame scaffolds shall be erected by competent and experienced personnel.

1910.28(d)(13)

Frames and accessories for scaffolds shall be maintained in good repair and every defect, unsafe condition, or noncompliance with this section shall be immediately corrected before further use of the scaffold. Any broken, bent, excessively rusted, altered, or otherwise structurally damaged frames or accessories shall not be used.

1910.28(d)(14)

Periodic inspections shall be made of all welded frames and accessories, and any maintenance, including painting, or minor corrections authorized by the manufacturer, shall be made before further use.

There are more specific rules but this will give you a place to start. These rules are what IOSH will be using to determine if a violation has occurred and if so how it can be corrected. The GC needs to be applying these same rules.

Iowa is Getting Tough on Construction Zone Speeders

The article below by Allissa Hopkins at KTIV Channel in Sioux City shows the concern of Iowa's Government in clamping down on speed through construction zones on their highways. They are to be commended for addressing this situation. However, in fairness, not only to the work zone workers and the drivers traveling through these areas, one item of Horse Sense that is not addressed in many states is the fact that long after all work has been completed, or all except a very short areas where work is being done, This gives confused drivers irritation traveling long several miles in completed areas. Perhaps a bigger Horse Sense adjustment should change the length of the work zone to the one or two short areas where work is being completed. I have seen it very frequently that all work has been done and the signs would remain up for months. Let's get this Donkey off the roads.


Allissa Hopkins
Fines Higher For Speeding In IA Construction Zones

Posted: July 2, 2008 06:57 PM CDT

It used to be that if you got caught speeding in a construction zones, fines were doubled. As of July 1st, that has all changed in Iowa.

And now, you can end up paying a lot more for a lead-foot in those construction areas.

It's summer and you know what that means, construction, and lots of it!

However now, new legislation has been past to improve the safety in these work zones.

"What we have seen in the past, or seen in the recent past, is an increase in the accidents that occur in work zones, and of those accidents... the majority of the injured parties are not the workers, but it's the motorists," said Dakin Schultz, Iowa Department of Transportation.

However, some of those accidents have ended in death.

"We have about an average of 5 fatals a year, "stated Schultz.

Now, if you're caught speeding through those work zones you are going to have big consequences.

"One hundred and fifty dollars for anything up to 10mph. Three hundred dollars for 11 to 20mph over, posted speed, and five hundred dollars for speeds from 20 to 25," mentioned Schultz.

Those going 25mph over in construction zones, they will pay up to thousand dollars.

Making these changes in Iowa law, Dakin says, is beneficial to all on the road.

"Trying to improve the safety of the workers in construction zones as well as the motorists that travel through the construction zone "stated Schultz.

Other violations, besides speeding, will continue to be fined double in construction zones.

The Iowa DOT has made new signs will be replacing the old signs that said, "Fines Double in Construction Zones, Road Workers Give 'Em A Brake".

There will be about 243 signs installed, 84 on interstates and 159 on primary, two-lane highways.

Someone Has Begun to Use Horse Sense!

Oklahoma Contractor Using Horse Sense

The following article below shows that Flintco has taken "the bull by the horns" and has come up with a comprehensive safety training agenda for it's crane operators as well as for some of it's subcontractors.

Many things have been written about the many crane incidents around the country. Many of the articles have purposed that MORE TRAINING would be a great help in preventing crane failure problems. This company is to be congratulated in putting the Donkey Way of doing business and replacing it with the Horse Sense way.

Published June 27, 2008 12:00 am - Flintco has a lot of reasons to be safety conscious.

With construction sites all over the country, there's a lot of room for errors. Errors that could cause injuries or even fatalities.
And in the game of construction, it seems the bigger the piece of equipment the more deadly.

The safer the sooner
(Note: the "sooner" can refer to the Oklahoma Sooners!)

By Julianna Parker

Flintco has a lot of reasons to be safety conscious.

With construction sites all over the country, there's a lot of room for errors. Errors that could cause injuries or even fatalities.

And in the game of construction, it seems the bigger the piece of equipment the more deadly.

"The crane is the most dangerous piece of equipment on the site, bar none," said Mike Bailey, director of operations at Flintco who has worked with cranes for more than 30 years.

During the first six months of 2008, there were 178 crane-related accidents in the U.S., resulting in 90 fatalities, according to CraneAccidents.com.

Flintco always has been safety-conscious, and recently was recognized by The Associated General Contractors of America as among the top three companies in the nation with the best safety record.

"It's a culture (of safety)," said Mark Grimes, Flintco Oklahoma City Division president. "It's something that everyone can say they're safe, but to actually do it and mean it is a different story."

That business philosophy should be reassuring, because Flintco has about eight cranes working in Norman on its construction projects.

The construction company recently launched a training program for those working on its projects with cranes, the equipment hundreds of feet tall that's used to move loads around on construction sites.

The training was initiated after a crane accident that fortunately didn't injure anyone, but was still alarming, Grimes said.

Since the time of the incident, Shawn Cosby has been hired by Flintco. He told his supervisors he could begin training for Flintco employees who work with cranes. Cosby worked with cranes for 22 years and developed a crane operator curriculum while teaching at the Oklahoma College of Construction.

In September, Cosby began teaching classes. Already 43 employees have completed the program and 19 employees of subcontractors have undergone the training.

There are five levels in the class, with each level taking about four hours of class time to complete. Employees must pass every level in order to work with cranes.

The training focuses on the knowledge needed to signal and rig, as well as the national standards that are being created, Cosby said. Workers are trained to American National Standards Institute and Occupational Safety and Health Administration specifications.

Certification is something that's recently come to national attention as more focus is put on doing construction well.

Lack of Fall Protection Fatal to 19-year-old Worker

The attached article from Western Michigan Business Review, by Jake La Duke, indicates that improper provisions were made to assure that workers were not properly protected from falling through holes on this job site. They were not in compliance with OSHA Standard 1926.501(b)(4) "

The value of the life of this young worker was placed at $40,000, according to the fine levied by the young man's company and MI OSHA. Is this enough to pay for a Willful violation? This just doesn't make Horse Sense to me.

I have seen Donkey Type situations like the one that caused this type fall or a "Near Miss" situation. Fortunately, none of these have caused a fatality. In many cases, Hole Covers are no more than a small piece of plywood laid loosely over a hole. Also, many cases of unprotected "leading edge" situations while workers are placing floor and/or roof decking. In one particular case, I was hired to replace a safety person after a worker "rode down" a loose sheet of decking.

Folks, this type situation is totally unaccepted work practices.

Contractors fined for fatality

by By Jake La Duke | Business Review Western

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 4:09 PM

Three western Michigan contractors were among five fined by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a fatal accident at a Detroit construction site in March.

The contractors were fined more than $40,000 for safety violations that resulted in the death of 19-year-old construction worker Scott Austin, who fell 60 feet at the Studio One Apartment building in downtown Detroit.

Houseman Construction of Grand Rapids was fined $11,000; Probuild of Delton $6,000; RJO Mechanical & Residential Plumbing of Portage $6,000; TNT Excavating of Howell $10,950; and Assemblers Inc. of Pinckney $6,100. The contractors have 15 working days to pay or appeal the fines.

Austin worked for TNT Excavating for less than one week when he fell through unsecured roof covers that were covering holes in the top of the building.

Bob Pawlowski, director of MIOSHA's division of construction safety and health, said falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. In 2007, five of the 11 total construction deaths were caused by falls. In 2006, it was nine out of 26.

Pawlowski said the five companies were cited because they knew that the holes in the roof were present, but failed to either put up barricades or to secure the hole covers adequately.

"We believe everybody knew," he told the Ann Arbor Business Review. "Each employer is required to provide what is necessary to protect their employees."

Other violations in the incident included a lack of training, lack of an accident prevention program and inadequate inspections for hazards.

Does OSHA Need to Step Up to Protect Construction Workers?

Joel Shufro, of the New York Daily News, offers this view about the need for more direct OSHA intervention in construction safety issues. It's worth taking a look.

My Comments;

Regarding OSHA's slot enforcement of regs on ALL construction projects, it is totally impossible to cover them all. This is the primary reason that the Labor Department has encouraged states and large cities to organize State and Local OSH Agencies to help cover this huge task.

I do agree that OSHA Regs should not take an eternity to bring standards up to date as with the 1971 crane regulations. Also, as I have noted in other posts, I feel that the Monetary penalties should be increased when it is very apparent that incidents are caused by Willful reasons.

The blaming of the Bush Administration is TOTALLY unfounded. You have to realize that it is NOT THE PRESIDENT, but the CONGRESS that makes the laws and governs them whether it is Republican, Democrat or Independent prominent groups. The President can only urge the Congress to make changes, enact certain laws, etc.
To blame any "Administration" for these type rules and laws, you can go back to every Administration since prior to the 1970 OSHAct and not to BLAME these Presidents, but praise them with all the GOOD things that they have encouraged the Congress to enact.

The remarks about Union/non-union has some merit. However, in some areas of the country the Unions have fallen down on their training of skilled workers in safe work practices as well as craftsmen to fill jobs. But, it is very true that non-union workers are only trained to follow safe work practices in accordance with OSHA regs that SPECIFICALLY require and that owners require on their job specifications.

I'd like to know YOUR thoughts on this post.

Horse Sense Approach to Crane Safety

Union Using Horse Sense Approach to Crane Safety

The item below from The Express Times, written by Kurt Bresswein, indicates that the Operating Engineer Union officials are working towards more safe-work conditions by training crane operators in Safety regarding the operating and inspecting cranes. This is a SUPER attitude and should vastly improve the safety records on all type cranes on construction sites.

Also, noted is the fact that Signal person and Rigging standards are to be available soon.

These groups are to be commended for their efforts in promoting safety on construction sites and statistics should be evident in the near future.


Federal eyes miss Bethlehem cranes

No government official has inspected machines at casino site. But others have done the job.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

By KURT BRESSWEIN
The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM | Four cranes rise above the roofline of the $800 million Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem midway through construction, with smaller ones below sharing the load.

Despite 18 crane-related deaths and 13 injuries since December nationwide, not one government official has set foot on site for an inspection.


The city's chief code official, Craig Hynes, said temporary equipment falls outside city building codes. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry says crane inspections are up to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

"We do proactive inspections for industries that have a pretty high injury and illness rate," OSHA spokeswoman Leni Fortson said. "Construction is definitely one of those."

But as of Friday, OSHA had not made one of its random inspections at the casino property, Fortson said.

Rising as high as 950-foot South Mountain a neighborhood away, the cranes receive daily inspections by certified operators, according to Jim Reilley, president of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542. The union represents crane operators and related jobs of signalperson and rigger.

The union maintains a facility in Bernville, Berks County, to train its workers on tower cranes -- the tallest ones, their bases encased in concrete -- and mobile cranes that move about on treads or tires.

Crane operators receive certifications good for five years by passing written and practical tests conducted by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators based in Fairfax, Va. Testing is done throughout the country, including as close as Absecon, N.J., and Harrisburg.

Signalperson and rigger certification programs are expected to start by year's end, the commission says.

"We hope to ensure as much as humanly possible the safety on the particular sites," Reilley said.

Among the worst recent incidents was March 15 in New York, when a 19-story crane broke away from an apartment tower under construction, killing six construction workers and a tourist. Ten days later, a crane at a condo project in Miami fell 30 stories, killing two workers and injuring five. Another two workers died in a 200-foot crane collapse May 30 in New York.

Other incidents have occurred in Port Washington, Wis.; Pacific Junction, Montpelier and Adar, Iowa; Parole and Dundalk, Md.; Iatan, Mo.; Las Vegas; and Wright, Wyo.

The high-profile accidents belie the relative safety of everyday operations, said Dennis Bates, vice president of the tower division for AmQuip Crane Rental. With its headquarters in Bensalem, Pa., AmQuip rents cranes locally at Schoenersville Road and Route 22 in Bethlehem.

Tower cranes alone number about 3,000 in North America, with about 2,100 in operation on any given day, Bates said. With a conservative estimate of 50 lifts and picks a day, that's 105,000 daily operations that never make headlines.

AmQuip's efforts to ensure safety begin with going beyond federal OSHA standards, Bates said. In-house technicians certify cranes for use once they're erected, and the company uses professional engineers to design foundations and tie-ins.

Operators do their own daily inspections, and the company tests every connection and bolt once a crane returns from a job. They also hire independent overseers.

"We as a company, as AmQuip, we go out and hire third-party inspectors to inspect our inspectors, our technicians," Bates said.

Construction on the South Side Bethlehem casino complex began in April 2007. Opening day is set for early summer 2009. Efforts failed to reach a representative of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the parent organization of developer Sands BethWorks Gaming LLC, for comment.

Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at kbresswein@express-times.com.

Grass Mowing Safety Pays Off

Even Small Tractors can be Dangerous

The following story was posted in the Friday, June 13th issue of the Washington County (AL) News. It was written by Jason Boothe, News Staff Writer.

The Lady in this article definately used Horse Sense when mounting her small tractor with a finishing mower attached. I have seen oh, so many people get on a small farm tractor around the farms as well as tractors on construction job sites that are equipped with Rollover Protection Equipment, and start operating it on sloping areas without fastening their seat belt. This lady wasn't playing "Donkey" when she mounted her tractor, she fastened her seat belt. Horse Sense.

Note: Seat belts should not be on equipment without ROPS equipment.

Personally, when I mount my 45 hp farm tractor, I always fasten my belt even if I'm not going anywhere with sloped surfaces. Tractors running in pastures, etc. that are rough terrain tend to "bounce" and jostle the operators. The seat belt prevents the operator from being jostled out of the seat.

Tibbie Resident Cheats Death

A Tibbie, (AL) resident is lucky to be alive after her Kubota tractor rolled over onto its side with her strapped to the seat.

Charlotte Williams was cutting grass near her home around lunch June 7, when suddenly the tractor she was driving began to turn onto its side.

"I was cutting the large ditch below the house," Williams said. "I was about to make my second trip back around and one of the front wheels of the tractor sunk down in a hole. That's when it started to tip over. I was scared because all I could hear was the blades of the finishing mower turning behind me."

Williams said thte seat belt and the tractor's roll bar probably saved her life.

While Williams was still trapped in the tractor's seat, first responders were called in to help. Members of Tibbie and Epworth Volunteer Fire Departments arrived to help Williams. They managed to free her from the tractor. Jets Ambulance Service transported Willians to a local hospital with minor injuries.

"I was just hanging there," Williams said. "I'm glad I was wearing my seat belt or I might hot be here today. I'm sore an dI have a bruise or two but I'm all right. I would like to thank everyone who helped me."

New York Getting Tough

The article below indicates that New York City Council is getting tough on violators of their Safety Rules in their city. This not only includes construction work, but includes Architects and Engineers responsibilities.

I feel that taking the problem by the reins, New York is beginning to use Horse Sense in combating so many Donkey ways that people are getting injured and killed in construction incidents in their City.

New York: Bill for construction sites safety

2008-06-14 15:25:50 (GMT) (Caymanmama.com - News) New York City, New York

CNN reported that City Council passed a general bill on Thursday which requires the worried Buildings Department for reporting disciplinary actions taken against the professional architects and engineers which may take away their licenses from them. In that 47-0 election, the city council also issued a bill which requires the department for posting an online update every month relating to injuries and death related to construction on its website. Both the bills require the Mayor Michael Bloomberg to sign them. While the first bill will come into immediate effect as soon as the Mayor signs it, the second one will be applied after 90 days of signature.

On May 30, a crane collapsed which killed 2 construction workers at the Upper East Side and on March 15, a crane toppled on the midtown street killing 7. The officials have reported that the number of people died in construction was 12 in 2007 and 16 people have already died in 2008 and now it is just half of the year gone.

The bills passed will be improving the reporting and public information and will cracking down on people who act wrongly and misuse their licenses. According to the first bill, the department will be required to send notice within 10 days to that state and also to report the actions taken against architects and engineers during the past 5 years. These reports will be mailed to the Education Department which may even strip them of their license.

The councilwoman, Brooklyn Democrat and sponsor of the bill, Letitia James, said that this piece is designed for addressing safety. The web posting for construction injuries and death will include location of incident, name of developers, any other violations and specific details. Councilman and Brooklyn Democrat, Erik Martin Dialn, who is also chairing the Buildings and Housings Sub-committee and is a bill sponsor says that this bill will help in limiting the accidents at construction sites.