AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE GOALS ARE SIMPLE: SAFETY AND SECURITY.
OSHA’s recent Top Ten list of dangerous work activities included Falls, Scaffolding, and Powered Industrial Trucks. Powered Industrial Trucks would include forklifts and scissorlifts. These operations are dangerous enough by themselves. However, they become geometrically more hazardous when working in close proximity to each other.
During the first week of December 2010 two workers were performing electrical maintenance using a scissor lift and scaffolding. The men were suspended in harnesses at 30 feet.
Another employee was performing unrelated routine work on a forklift. The forklift struck the scissorlift as the men did the electrical work. Both men were knocked unconscious. One man was killed when he fell and was pinned and crushed under the scaffolding. The second worker remain hung in a harness.
The predictable company/employer CYA statement that “[we] are committed to safety and safe work enviornement” belies their actions. The contractor/owner should not have required unrelated hazardous work activities in close proximity. Company rhetoric does not alleviate the preventable suffering and sorrow to the families during this Christmas Holiday. There are no words, only acknowledgement.
Honor these fallen workers by keeping yourself safe at work and taking the extra safety precautions regardless of pressures put on you.
THERE IS NO SAFETY IN NUMBERS.