Scaffolding

[Insaneride]

I wanted to share this little advice or memory aid I use when working off of scaffolding or anything above 2 feet. I usually use scaffolding for anything from 6 to 20 feet but awhile back I loaned some A frames and a plank. The guy was only two or three feet max above ground and stepped off while painting his house. Because of his size, he broke an arm and had it traction for weeks.

I coulda spared him the injury if I had only told him this one important thing when above ground and that is: always look before you move! again, always look before you move!

Im sure most tradesmen know this but I thought it would be worth mentioning since I see pics of weldors working off of pipe, I beams etc. Usually you have a tether or safety rails but not always.

I sometimes dont have the luxury of looking so I slide a foot in the direction I want to go and feel for the edge with my sliding foot and keeping the weight on my stationary foot.

If anyone has a good suggestion, please tell me.

[LarryO]

I think that is good advice for just about anywhere.

Even in a workshop envionment, its easy to trip over things that get left around. I know you should not leave things laying around, but not everyone can work ideally clean/neat.

[anickode]

A friend of mine saw a guy get pasted on a high-rise jobsite once.

He was welding steel decking down to the girders, moving backwards as he worked, leaving the row of hot welds ahead of him. He moved himself backwards, right into an open elevator shaft, and down 6 stories. The mechanical pit at the bottom of the elevator shaft was partially installed, and he landed across a steel beam, snapping his spine in two. He didn't survive.

Moral of the story... Don't walk backwards on a jobsite.

[Oldendum]

My cousin was helping install a stairway. He was on the second floor and another guy was down below. My cousin went down the well and landed on his head on the concrete basement floor. He died.

[dumb as a stump]

fall arrest would have been a benefit BUT "stupid is as stupid does"... or so they say. Me I NEVER do stupid things. HAHAHAHA cant even say that with a straight face..

[beamwalker]

i never ever ever back up on decking. i always face forward and weld it down forward. if im near edge i will turn sideways and make weld from 2' away from deck edge. i always look down every few seconds to look at my footing. i will however walk out a joist or beam if bridged and pick up sheet and drag backwards but i wont let go of it til im back on installed decking

[Dualie]

im working 6 storys up on some scaffolding tomorrow, this is solid advice no matter how well things are guarded.

[Insaneride]

TODAAY, I was working around three basketball size holes in the sub floor (ground level) I slide my foot to feel the floor for deformities . Use one foot to feel before you move. Always feel or look before you move.

Never forget to remember to remember to always remember to never ferget to look before you move. And remember to check your refernces

[Insaneride]

Always look before you move

[Insaneride]

Sorry about the cousins/friends dying on the job. Im sure Jesus has a special place in Heaven or Hell for the Men or Women that dye while working on their ther job. I hope I die with with my boots on

[lamename]

Originally Posted by Insaneride

Sorry about the cousins/friends dying on the job. Im sure Jesus has a special place in Heaven or Hell for the Men or Women that dye while working on their ther job. I hope I die with with my boots on

Good advice Insane. I however don't want to die in my boots.

[Insaneride]

Larry0, you are so right about always be aware on the ground or above. Today I was working around three basketball size holes in the subfloor. My instincts of drag and slide my foot saved my watchyamacallit from breaking.


Lame, what I ment was, I wanna die with my work boots on; in other words, I wanna be able to work till I die. Im a labor for life and not ready to kick it just yet. I have engineering skills but I feel better at the end of the day from working hard all day. My retirement was spent on child support arears and beer. My savings were lost when JR BUSH took office; my fault for voting retard instead of dumcrat maybee. I just need to work to live and I wanna live. Im not lazy unless you count fangerbinging this keyboard.

Anywayz, use caution whatever your doing, be happy, healthy, love ,live and buy welding rod instead of beer.

[mb_welder]

It's like anything...pay attention to your surroundings and look out for yourself. Don't rely on anyone else to do it for you.