Sent in by one of our regular readers and contributors a 34 metre truck mount set up slap bang in the road with no traffic management on a busy bus route and close to a junction.
Our news reports have covered numerous cases of buses or truck clipping platforms as they pass, all to often ending in a fatality – usually the operator. The man who came across this scene sums it up perfectly, although you might add risk of a lone person working at height:
“I am never one to slate other contractors but today I was in disbelief when I saw this. Did I miss the technical guidance changes. Is this what the standards are coming to for high level works?
A very busy bus route at 2pm with school, nursery, pharmacy, numerous cafes and other shops. The truck mount just slapped on the road.
- No Traffic Management - Just 3m from a junction
- No banksmen just an operative lone working in basket
- No consideration of the pedestrians walking under as the debris was falling.
Far too many property managers and housing associations take the cheap route or the turn to the left to avoid the disaster on right. They don’t care as it’s the contractors issue. I’d never allow this on any of my projects, not even just for public safety but the safety of the operator as well. It’s mental to think this is what is being done, no wonder I have been told a few times other firms are much cheaper if this is how they work. Also wonder how they got the back gutters as that machine won’t reach.
I really want to see other people’s thoughts on this. Am I just a grumpy contractor! Or do other people see the issues here ?”
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Definitely one for our Death Wish Series.
Have a safe weekend
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