Fires Shut Down Southern California College of Construction

I am sure you have heard by now about the wild fires in California. It has been reported by various sources that over 2,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed or damaged, over 1 million people evacuated, and over 1 billion dollars in damage. The wildfires began on October 21. By now, most of the fires have been contained, and evacuees are returning “home,”(but not necessarily to their “houses”). Although a minor event throughout the fires, the National Association of Heavy Equipment Schools (NAHETS), was affected, as the member college-Southern California College of Construction (SCCC) was shut down due to the fires. From October 22-24 the campus was not in operation due to the heavy smoke and ash in the air. The hearts of NAHETS and SCCC staffs go out to all those affected by the disaster. Here is what it looked like in San Bernardino (location of SCCC):

 

Beavers v. Backhoes

Over the last few weeks, Bessemer City, NC has been the battlegrounds for beavers and backhoes. The two have been fighting over the water supply for the city.

The first strike came from the beavers during the week of April 5-11, who dammed up Mills Creek, which helps feed the city’s water supply. Shortly after a city backhoe came and destroyed the dam. The beavers rebuilt it again, and the backhoe destroyed it again…

Although this would seem like a lopsided confrontation, the beavers put up a fight unexpected by all. Instead of retreating, the beavers marched, or swam, to the main water supply at Long Creek. There they built a dam once again. When they were discovered, the backhoe came again and wreaked havoc on the dam, but once again the beavers rebuilt.

Spectators may be amused by the continued perseverance of the beavers, but city officials express that the matter is having a significant impact on the city. Because of a water shortage, people are already on water restrictions, and now the beavers are compounding the problem. In 2002, Long Creek almost dried up, and the city had to purchase water from its neighbors at Kings Mountain. The city may have to do this again if they cannot stop the beaver dilemma. Bessemer City is not allowed to hire trappers to solve the beaver problem, because beavers can only be trapped on city grounds. Also, relocation is expected to not solve the problem, but only move it elsewhere.

Despite the potential water supply problems the city faces, city and industry leaders give credit to the beavers for their persistence and dam-building skills. Bessemer City interim manager, Allan Ferris, has said about the matter: “They’ve done an excellent job…The Army Corps of Engineers couldn’t have built a better dam.” Also, Matt Klabacka, president of the National Association of Heavy Equipment Schools (NAHETS), was amazed with the beavers’ backhoe rivalry. In response to the article he said “maybe we should hire some beavers at our member schools.”

So, for the time being, the game of cat and mouse (oops, beaver and backhoe), continues. The beavers are relentless so far, and the backhoe as well. Who will prevail-nature’s machine, or man’s machine?

…And for those of you who think a beaver dam is an easy take down…

…Wikipedia reports that the largest beaver dam built was 2,140 feet long, 14 feet high, and 23 feet thick. In other words, this dam would tower over the one above.

For news coverage see:

Beaver v. Bulldozer 1

Beaver v. Bulldozer 2

Inspections Give Insight Into Industry Accidents

Nationwide inspections show that the main cause of construction deaths and accidents is “by a fall from height.” 24 of the 59 reported construction deaths and over half of the 4000 reported construction accidents last year were due to this cause.

In order to remedy these accidents the HSE has announced that over 1,000 nationwide inspections will take place throughout June and July this year. Last year the HSE took action against 179 construction firms, where falling from a height was cited as a significant problem.

Here is a glance at various construction accidents that have taken place within the last few weeks:

In Iowa city, Iowa a 49 year-old worker died after a crane fell over next to him, causing him to fall to the ground from a height of 37 feet.

In Indianapolis two workers at a mall construction site fell 40 feet. One worker died and the other was left in critical condition.

Over a four-day span at a Phoenix construction site, two workers died. One was killed by trench collapsing on him.

In London, a crane operator and three workers were trapped 100-150ft in the air after a 300ft crane collapsed and fell about 200ft.

In Minneapolis, MN nine construction workers suffered injuries when the third floor of a building collapsed on them. One worker fell 35 feet and survived with little injury.

A 50 year-old worker died at an Alton, Iowa Wal-Mart construction site after being struck by a piece of equipment.

An accident on a Mississippi bridge left one worker dead and another reportedly missing, believing to be trapped under the debris.

These are a fraction of the industry accidents that have occurred recently. Everyday more are reported. Although we may think these types of accidents do not happen at our sites or in our companies, the fact of the matter is that they do happen. Let us use these recent accidents as lessons and as motivation to stop the spread of construction accidents. When it comes to this issue, one person, one company, or one job site can make a difference-the difference between life and death.

Accidents Plague Construction Industry

In the last few weeks numerous accidents have been reported involving construction sites and heavy equipment. Some have resulted in deaths, others in injuries, and fortunately some in neither. However, the concerns of safety and monetary costs are undoubtedly at threat in all incidents.

In Darwin, Australia two families barely escaped injury and possible death as a 50-ton crane crashed into their homes.

Liverpool, UK has suffered its third crane death this year. One man was killed at Wavetree Technology Park when a crane fell on him while another was injured. Another was killed by a steel girder, and the last was killed by a crane collapse in the city centre.

Six construction workers were buried last Wednesday in Beijing, China when a subway construction site collapsed in on them. Their fate remains unknown.

A man was killed in New Zealand on March 31 when the crane on his truck and trailer fell and crushed him.

Four workers excavating and working on the basement of a three-story home in San Francisco were hospitalized with minor injuries after the earth caved in around them.

In San Antonio, TX a crane snapped and sent metal beams onto the 410 freeway. Fortunately, the freeway was already closed for construction work, and no workers were injured.

It is obvious that accidents are occurring too frequently in the construction and heavy equipment industry throughout the world. Some may be unpreventable due to natural causes or other means, but one thing that will assuredly help minimize these accidents is an increased emphasis on safety procedures.

In construction and heavy equipment industries there should be regularly occurring inspections on all pieces of equipment, certified and qualified operators for every piece of equipment, as well as certified and qualified managerial staff on site. Knowing emergency procedures and having emergency plans, as well as trustworthy and capable workers are only scratching the surface in aspects of heavy equipment accident prevention.

Perhaps the only positive thing to be gained from these tragic accidents is to learn from them. Such accidents may be able to help the industry eliminate the root of the problem. The goal is an accident-free industry. This is the aim of The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools-NAHETS.

This post is brought to you by NAHETS. The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools.