A construction worker in Shanghai working on an unfinished apartment building was killed Saturday. Improper construction methods are believed to be the reason of the collapse in the Lotus Riverside complex in suburban Shanghai, according to a report from the investigation team. “Any construction company with common sense would not make such a mistake,” said an expert from the investigation team. The investigation team’s report said that workers dug an underground garage on one side of the building while on the other side earth was heaped up to 10 meters high, which was apparently an error in construction, according to a report on eastday.com, Shanghai’s official news website.
Earlier this week, there were also reports saying that cracks on the flood-prevention wall near the building, as well as the special geological condition in the water bank area, may be part of the reason for the collapse. “These factors are not the basic reason of this accident,” said the expert. Nine people linked to the building collapse, including the real estate developer, contractor and the supervisor for the project, have been put “under appropriate control”, said the official Xinhua News Agency Sunday evening.
the collapse of the apartment building in Shanghai killed one construction worker
Nahets Chairman, Matt Klabacka, visits with Northern California College of Construction training director, Tom Champlin, at their field site in Stockton California.
As Texas Authorities searched the Area of Gregg County after a stolen backhoe had been reported, there was an accident reported in which a Volvo backhoe had been driven through a fence along with several other pieces of heavy equipment.
Lt. Mike Claxton said his office investigated the theft of a Volvo backhoe from 10730 Texas Highway 149 on Friday which was driven through a fence and loaded on a trailer.
“This is the third reported heavy equipment theft in this area of the County since May 29,” Claxton said today.
Investigators that have been working on the case are just waiting for more information on the crash.
“These are significant valued thefts,” Claxton said. “The Volvo backhoe is valued at over $26,000.”
The Investigators are looking everywhere for information on the thefts.
Suzanne just returned from agency conference in Missouri and the Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation recognized the Oklahoma College of Construction for the third year in a row for our outstanding contribution to their customers. Our customer assistance is something we value greatly here in Oklahoma. Many other schools were nominated for this award, but we were the only one to recieve it.
A large crane lies in the middle of a large New York City intersection.
Ramadan Kurtaj was remembered yesterday at the spot where a construction accident took his life. His parents, Uke and Reyve Kurtaj, were granted a visa from Kosovo, and traveled to New York for the anniversary of their sons death. A picture of Ramadan was placed in honor of him at the construction site.
“It’s a big loss for me, it’s hard for me. I lost my son, 27 years old, it’s very hard,” said Uke Kurtaj through a translator. Ramadan wished to bring his parents to New York, but not because of his own death.
“They would never believe that they’d be coming to the United States under these circumstances,” said Xhevahire Sinanaj, Kurtaj’s cousin. “Their dream was different way, to be with their son. And now that they’re here and he is gone, it’s very hard for them. They’re very sad.”
Uke and Reyve Kurtaj mourn their sons death
Construction workers Ramadan Kurtaj (27) and Donald Leo (30) were killed last May 30 when the top part of a 200-foot crane crashed down on a Manhattan residential neighborhood. Their deaths followed an similar crash on May 15, 2008, where seven died in a crane accident.
Investigators have said a bad weld failed in the collapse. The workers’ families have sued the crane makers and prosecutors have launched a criminal probe. Their lawyers say the crane was put into service despite a history of poor maintenance and botched repairs.
In fact many of the new “green-projects” will require heavy equipment for their construction. Whether it is to erect energy producing wind turbines, building new high-speed railways, harvesting grain for biodiesel fuel, drilling for natural gas, or mining for new sources of energy, heavy equipment is involved.
Training heavy equipment operators to work efficiently in this new climate and to understanding the impact these machines can have on the environment is just the first of many steps which we can take to meet these new challenges. Having vigilant oversight and training in other related “green” construction jobsite practices is also important.
“NAHETS has made a commitment to train the next generation of operators to follow the EPA’s recommendations. But it goes beyond these basics. We want to instill a sense of responsibility to become good stewards when it comes to environmental considerations,” says Mr. Klabacka. “Operators need this training now, especially since many of them are going to work alongside other “Green-collar” workers on projects which the Federal Gobernment is funding through the new American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
At NAHETS we considered every facet of the work which operators get involved in. Training in the use of GPS technology helps to make grade control, site management, and equipment operations more efficient. Showing operators how to save fuel and to reduce pollution by reducing engine idling and working to eliminate nonproductive techniques adds to these savings. Teaching them the importance of earth friendly biodegradable lubricants and hydraulic fluids, low sulfur diesel and biodiesel fuels, recycling used oil, and proper preventive maintenance helps to lessen the impact on the environment. We also educate them on dust control methods and ways to protect groundwater from getting contaminated. Combining of all of these tactics can go a long way toward making heavy equipment more environmentally friendly.
Sources/articles:
(1) www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction
(2) Digging Up Trouble: Construction Pollution in California… http://ucsusa.wsm.ga3.org/assets/documents/clean_vehicles/Statewide-FAQ.pdf
President Obama’s recovery plan, including construction-related projects, is on its way through the House for approval. Although its not the “solve all” solution for the recession, it is designed to shave off the worst . Industry professionals say the funds allocated to construction-related projects are not even close to filling all of the needs, but the funds will create jobs and help complete much needed construction projects across the country.
Some are skeptical that the plan will not be sufficient to provide the relief needed, but many are also impressed with the plan and feel it will be a good start to improving the current situation.
Case Construction recently launched its new website, aiming to better suit the needs of its global audience. The site has been reconstructed into a more efficient customer tool and resource, featuring new looks, content, streamlined navigation, and more. The new website will provide support for all customer types. Paula Inda, responsible for global communications, stated, “Our goal has been to support all customers throughout their entire experience with our products, regardless of their equipment use or fleet size.” Click below to enter the site.
The world’s largest land crane was recently built in Tri-Cities, WA. The crane was built by Lampson Crane, an international leader in the Heavy Lift and Transport Industry. It took one year to build and has a lift/move capacity of over 2600 tons–that is over 5 million pounds! It also stretches almost the length of a football field. The crane is going to be shipped to China in order to help build several nuclear power plants near Beijing. Click below for a video and complete story…
