22.02.2008

Harness saves two lives

Two men are alive and well this week following an accident in Miramar, Florida after a crane dropped a 450kg – seven metre long steel beam from around 25 metres height.

The beam dropped from the crane after its lifting slings gave way, it fell towards the two men who were on their way up in the boom lift to fix the beam in place.
The beam clipped the guardrail of the platform causing a catapult effect which threw the men towards the beam.

Both men were saved from going over the edge of the platform by their harnesses and lanyards. One of the men did suffer a back injury from the impact of the jolt and was taken to Hospital.

The accident happened in mid February at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center, currently under construction. The main contractor is Kaufman Lynn General Contractors while the steel erection is subcontracted to Industrial Steel Fabricators.

Vertikal Comment

This is an unusual accident and could have been much nastier if the beams fall had followed a different trajectory. However even with the lucky escape if the two had not been wearing harnesses they would have both gone over the side and the result might have been quite different.