26.08.2010

Getting the priorities right

A death Wish from Poland where a major international contractor is constructing a pier, but hardly in the safest way.

The correspondent, visiting the site in Plock – north central Poland – on a windy day could not believe his eyes when he witnessed the way employees were reaching the end of the new pier being built on the river.
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This man has his Hi-viz and hard hat on, but not sure they will help him much if he looses his balance

The main contractor is Bilfinger Berger while sub-contractors include: Navimor-Incest, Alpex and Henczke-Construction.

The men with a death wish are equipped with all the safety gear, including hi-viz vests and hard hats and some have what looks like a life jacket – although one man appears to have removed his shoes.
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A man has climbed down onto a raft to reach the piling- note the rescue pole that the man on top has ready

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The lasso approach - looks like he has bare feet

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Safely on the piling what comes next?

We understand that the work practices were reported to the contractor at the time who ackowledged that employees do not always obey the detailed safety rules that the company has in place and even seem to leave their common sense behind at times.

The company said that it would investigate the case immdeiately, it also noted that it was possible that those ignoring the rules were subcontractor staff, while acknowledging that this was still its responsibility and that it treats such reports very seriously and that the local health and safety manager had a board level position wihthin the business.

Note
We understand that these photos were taken very recently, but have not been able to categorically confrim that. However regardless of when they were taken the message remains the same.