Comments on: Photos: A Very Tall Job

By: Seriously LOL

Seriously LOL — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:00:43 +0000

aaaaannnnnndddd thats how you shut “Common Sense” up!! bahaha! I love it!!

By: John Johnson

John Johnson — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:03:22 +0000

Nice comeback, Bigblock. Actually having knowledge of the law is pretty cool!
Y’all are doing good work.

By: Bigblock345

Bigblock345 — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:57:02 +0000

The guy on top has his welding hood hanging in front of him. Probably took it off to talk on the radio that he has in his hands.Granted, I would have on long sleeves while welding, but to each his own. Wanting some one fined and fired cause he “broke THE LAW” is sorry. OSHA has standards, regulations, and laws.

29 CFR 1926.100(a) states:

Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.

As OSHA previously stated in an August 23, 1983, letter to Congressman Sisisky, “where employees are not exposed to possible head injuries, head protection is not required by OSHA standards.” In your scenario, where no work is being performed overhead and there is no employee exposure to possible head injuries, there is no OSHA requirement that hard hats be worn while on the roof.

Note that OSHA standards set minimum safety and health requirements; they do not prohibit employers from adopting more stringent requirements.

If you need additional information, please contact us by fax #202-693-1689. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail.

Sincerely,

Russell B. Swanson, Director
Directorate of Construction

By: Puddin

Puddin — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:04:29 +0000

I saw these guys on my way home yesterday. My first thought was “I would have to be awfully hungry to take that job!” lol

By: Common Sense

Common Sense — Wed, 06 May 2015 23:45:23 +0000

Here in Escambia…….When in Rome you have to do as the Romans do……. PPE is ” Personal Protective Equipment” This is an OSHA Mandate. That individual who was without a hardhat …knowing he is aloft over 100 feet above the ground is not in working standards of the national labor requirements that OSHA mandates; and should be fined and or fired. there is no excuse for being ignorant of ignorance. I do believe these workers had no idea that they were recorded of breaking labor law standards, and all that were on top of the water tower are quilty of this action and should be held accountable. There is no price on HUMAN SAFETY!!!

By: jeeperman

jeeperman — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:56:45 +0000

Both of the men up on the tower have their PPE on other than one does not have his helmet on.

You do not see many water towers with that high tech water level gauge too often.

By: William

William — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:25:25 +0000

“Actually EREC owns this service now” But it is still the “Bratt-Davisville Water System”. From the trucks on the ground, this appeared to be a contractor, not EREC, doing the work. The guy with no helmet is standing *inside* the tank and out a trap door.

By: Johnson

Johnson — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:47:16 +0000

Actually EREC owns this service now. It will eventually be painted like the Walnut Hill water tower in the future. Therefore, EREC should know all of the OSHA standards.

By: Reader

Reader — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:28:58 +0000

Nice pics. Must have been a really big lens to get that kind of zoom

By: Bell

Bell — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:25:27 +0000

At least 1 guy has proper PPE on. OSHA would have a field day with these pictures. I was working on the water tower on Killem Road in July 2013 when a load of steel cable was dropped on me from about 80′. Spent a few days in the hospital, and had to have surgery to repair the damage. Be safe gentlemen.