Comments on: Another deadly crane collapse

By: thefoundingfathers

thefoundingfathers — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:19:13 +0000

I am so glad to be out of the construction business. Most of these large projects are nothing but Towers of Babel.

By: Michelle Malkin » THEY SUPPORT THE TROOPS…BY SKIPPING SCHOOL

Michelle Malkin » THEY SUPPORT THE TROOPS…BY SKIPPING SCHOOL — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:05:20 +0000

[...] Another deadly crane collapse [...]

By: spackle

spackle — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:22:25 +0000

“But like I say, the New York construction business might be a whole different animal.”

Between ruthless developers and the Mob? You better believe it.

By: lumberjack

lumberjack — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:00:25 +0000

Maybe New York is different but I do some work on cranes in the DC area and around here inspection and repair is serious business – you don’t see shoddy work and, if anything, inspections are a little too strict.

But like I say, the New York construction business might be a whole different animal.

By: letget

letget — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:23:36 +0000

Even if the crane is built in the US, where does the material come from to build it? If from China, we all know what their quality products has been shipped to us. Almost everything we get comes from that bunch, and it all stinks.
L

By: nlebou

nlebou — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:09:58 +0000

My husband works on and inspects cranes for a major corp. and he tells me all the time that he is pressured to OK machines that are NOT OK. He never does it because he could not live with himself if someone were hurt or killed. Also, he could be held liable. He sees safety violations all the time.

He has contractors pi$$ed at him all the time because he refuses to cut corners.

By: RobM1981

RobM1981 — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:49:11 +0000

Statistically it’s hard to explain so many of these are happening in NYC as “coincidence.”

I can speculate as well as the next guy, but factually I have no idea what the root cause is.

But, again, mathematically it sure looks like there *is* a root cause. Otherwise you’d be seeing this all over the world, and you just aren’t…

By: spackle

spackle — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:07:41 +0000

This is just another price being paid to turn NYC into a yuppie paradise. As someone who was born and raised in the city and still goes there often I can tell you that in recent years NYC has become one giant building zone. Especially the upper east side. There are cranes EVERYWHERE.It is just one stale condo high rise after another. The problem is unqualified (illegal) employees, ruthless developers looking to cut corners and save a buck and a mayor who doesnt give a s**t. I have personally seen an entire square block of working class tenements (where relatives lived) leveled to make room for ultra expensive condos. New york has become a theme park for tourists and a place where only the rich and poor can afford to live.I am all for free enterprise and am a conservative but this is not only unfair but now deadly as well.

By: undrseige247

undrseige247 — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:02:19 +0000

They have to get crane inspectors that have a little more affluence instead of these drunken losers who sign their name on the report then pass out in the gutter.

By: terrig

terrig — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:49:44 +0000

That’s true, the cheapest bid always gets the greenlight. More often than not, steps are sometimes missed. Another terrible tragedy.

By: Reg.conservative

Reg.conservative — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:43:17 +0000

Bloomberg, is too busy suing gun manufacturers and gun dealers to be bothered with crane problems.

By: DBNinKY

DBNinKY — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:16:20 +0000

Also, the coverage should distinguish between types of accidents (human error, mechanical failure, etc.).

You’re exactly right!

My uncle operated a crane for Ashland Oil for nearly thirty years, and he and his co-workers never experienced a serious accident. He accredits this to strict adherence to all safety regulations, participation in all routine worker retraining-safety courses, and because of the company’s superior equipment maintenance schedules and regulations; in particular, their use of quality, usually American made, replacement parts for all cranes and heavy machinery.

By: pclevenger

pclevenger — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:14:45 +0000

Somehow this is reminiscent of the Burma population reduction by storm plan. People are cheap, why worry?

By: Barry F.

Barry F. — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:05:52 +0000

On May 30th, 2008 at 10:41 am, IndependentTom said:

So…if I understand this correctly?…Contractors and employers using “untrained immigrant labor” are putting those employees in danger…

Seems to me that reinforces the notion that employer sanctions against hiring illegal aliens MIGHT be a good idea….

Naaaaah! That would make too much sense, Tom. That, surely, can’t be the answer to it.

By: Silkyinfamous

Silkyinfamous — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:56:22 +0000

Joemantler said:

Just doing the jobs Americans won’t do.

That was sarcasm right?