It takes one to know one Do something dumb and you may get a DUMMY AWARD. A real no brainer. 5/15/08: More counterweight please. 2/04/08: There is no shortage of stupid people! Video 1/16/06: All the right equipment BUT... 5/02/05: Stupid People! 12/06/03: Stupid! 02/01/03: LOOK UP and LIVE 11/26/02: Worse than dumb. It was STUPID! 10/22/02: No Counterweights 10/18/02: Send'em Packin' 07/28/02: Police Report: Drunk Operator 10/09/01 — 10/12/01 update: Start your engines gentlemen, it's time to race TV Platform (R.H. Marlin) 9/06/01: Overriding safety devices 8/03/01: Believe it of not Popular: #1: "Cowboy of Sorts" #2: Dumb is as dumb does #3: Truck drivers do dumb things too For operators and others who... a) allow crane booms, jibs, load lines, tag lines, attachments, concrete pump truck booms, workplatforms, aerial lifts, personnel lifts, bucket truck booms, and other machinery capable of touching or coming into close proximity of energized power lines. See what can happen | Dead Link | Editorial comment: As for dead links, OSHA is one of the worst offenders. b) for operators who fail to follow crane manufacturer's instructions for properly deploying the outriggers (stabilizers) before lifting a load or swinging to either side. c) for operators who fail to properly set the house lock and boom angle before moving a crane. d) for operators who talk on a cell phone while operating a crane. Accident report: 02/06/01: 3900w operator answered his cell phone, got out of the seat with boom engaged in the down position. The boom lowered down on top of a house while the operator was walking around talking on his cell phone. What's next? In time, yet another OSHA required decal on cranes. DANGER! DO NOT operate this crane while talking on a cell phone e) for operators and job-site supervision who fail to properly secure cranes to barges in marine operations. See example. (subscription required) f) for operators and project management who fail to secure unmanned cranes and other equipment during off-work hours. We have recently reported two incidents of suicide, because tower cranes were not secured against unauthorized access. Here's reference to one of the incidents G) for truck drivers who do dumb things, like going under low structures (bridges, overpasses) with high loads. Dumb, just plain ol' dumb! See index Crane ball falls through roof of mall (subscription required) Doing Dumb Things With Cranes (w/photos) Hook Rider (Look OSHA) Power Line Contact Dumb is as dumb does 05/09/02: Auburn, Maine — Diaz Corporation bridge project. Dumb is as dumb does 06/15/01: See short story at: WPBFchannel.com It is reported, a Hubbard Construction crane, driven by Arthur Soares of Hollywood, Florida was unloading construction material for bridge construction on I-95 near Delray, Florida. He was driving the crane south in the median with the crane's boom raised at about a 45-degree angle, causing it to rake the power lines down onto traffic traveling in the north and southbound lanes. According to police reports, power lines hit a northbound pickup and a semi-trailer truck traveling south. It was reported, the driver of the semi-truck, David Schofield, of Georgia, was heading north on I-95 when he saw a power line and broken wooden utility pole heading straight for his truck. "I wasn't worried as much about the wire as I was the pole coming at me," he said. The power line ended up draped across the front of his truck, just inches from the windshield. No injuries were reported. A father and son were not as fortunate in a similar incident. Editor comments: Project supervision should also share blame for such incidents. Overhead power lines should have on-ground flagging or signs to serve as a reminder that power lines are overhead. Such common sense measures should be taken before the first piece of equipment is moved onto the job-site. If possible and practical, a walk-through with the operator(s) at the start of the project, pointing out potential dangers, would certainly help. Don't forget to do the same with new-hires and substitute, (temporary) operators. If a regular operator is off and a substitute is used, make sure the replacement operator is well aware of any and all potential dangers. In this business you have to cover you rear from all angles. This accident could have caused the deaths of several innocent people. It was also totally avoidable. Think about it. One person failing to observe what's going on, failing to look up, or obey basic safety rules can put a company and human life in jeaprody in the wink of an eye. Look up and live! Note: Arthur Soares and Hubbard Construction are named in the State Police report. Both names were a matter of public records before they were published here. Dumb is as dumb does 03/26/02: Yet another incident reported from Delray "Cowboy of Sorts" There are some basic safety rules in this business that you just don't break, period. No excuses! No shortcuts! Using common sense always helps. Protecting your reputation is your responsibility. Helping save lives is our responsibility and commitment. TOP | HOME