elliot_johnson31•1mo agoProlific Poster

Had a week on the new bridge project that was either a masterclass or a mess, depending who you ask

Last week on the East River span, we had to set a dozen 80-ton precast concrete deck sections. The foreman wanted us to fly them in fast, back-to-back, no real breaks. My spotter and I argued we should slow down, double-check every rigging point because the wind was picking up off the water. We did it his way, got all twelve placed in a single shift, which looked amazing on paper. But I was sweating bullets the whole time, felt like we were pushing luck. The crew on the ground thought it was slick, but the other crane op on site said we were asking for a swing. What's the line for you guys between being efficient and being unsafe? Ever had a boss push for speed when your gut said to pump the brakes?

3 comments

3 Comments

kim.zara1mo ago

Twelve sections in one shift sounds like a magic trick, but what's the point if the wind turns your crane into a giant pendulum? Your foreman must think OSHA stands for "Oh, Speed Helps Always." Did they offer to write your eulogy too, or just the safety report after a near miss?

susan_bell1mo ago

Giant pendulum" is such a perfect way to put it. Did your foreman at least have a real answer for what the plan was if the wind got worse while a section was in the air?

-1

hugomurray1mo ago

Honestly, the plan was pretty solid. They had specific wind speed limits and a clear spot to set the piece down fast. Maybe it just looked worse from the ground than it actually was.