I know, I worked in the early 90’s around Green Lake in Seattle. I helped build homes around some of the steepest hills in a city. It required precision working around existing structures. I remember one day hanging 3 stories in the air applying siding from some make shift harness. At my age (19) I didn’t think I was in danger, It was a family business after all, Uncle Junior and brother and dad throwing cut boards at me to catch.
Thinking back on it today, it was complete insanity, and not within any safety standards, but all in a days work.
Growing up on a farm you think you have seen it all when it comes to safety standards, but construction has it’s casualties. Just ask my brother who is missing part of his thumb from a run away saw and deadlines.
Folks, safety standards, engineering and regulations exist for a reason, so people don’t get injured or killed.
I hope we learn something from what happened in Sioux Falls today. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t popular and certainly doesn’t make a lot of people money, but it saves lives.
I pray for those affected, because foolishness is no way to go.
Taking short-cuts when you’re dealing with a 100 year-old, structure weighing 1,000s of tons is a very bad idea.
Construction is a dangerous business under normal conditions.
The City of Sioux Falls was quick to make it clear the construction company did not have the permits to do the work they were doing.
Also, good thinking on the part of whoever took a snapshot (before the contractor quickly removed it from Facebook Friday) of the load-bearing wall they were demolishing.
It appears this contractor thumbed his nose at federal, state and local regulators and as a result a young man has tragically lost his life.
This contractor is also a developer.
He built the 1.3m condo (with the hot tub on the roof) which is on the east side of Phillips Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. He is a partner on the project at the SE corner of 8th and Phillips and he is one of three individuals (see argusleader.com Will mega deal bring new life to old properties? March 16,2016) who is part of a 25m dollar deal involving 13 properties previously owned by Arnold Murray including The Albert House and L’Abri Apartments on Phillips Avenue on the south and north sides of Sixth Street.
If OSHA finds he is responsible for this man’s death, let’s hope he he is forced to pack up and leave town!
Thankyou SFFD. It’s not easy being always ready. They were. They did. Above and beyond expectations. Thanks
I would agree Dan. As I have told people for years besides the bike trail being one of our best assets, our Fire Department is top notch.
Definitely thumbs up to Fire and Rescue!
The next time someone complains about “the government” or OSHA, or whatever, make sure you remind them of this incident and the true costs of an idealistic libertarian world.
Sure, the laws didn’t prevent this tragedy, but if wasn’t for common sense building codes to begin with, there would be even more tragic incidents like the one we experienced yesterday.
My only question, due to intellectual curiosity, is why RC has a dog designed for these types of incidents but SF does not and apparently nothing from Mpls. or Omaha to cut the time? But regardless, thank you SFF&R once again!
It would be interesting to see if there were city building construction approvals and inspections. They’re known for their incompetence. There’s still no formal occupancy permit for the Events Center.
Very traumatic day for SF yesterday. I felt a sense of hope when Cisco showed up and pitched in. One nagging question. Why does a city with an MSA twice that of RC need to emergency lift their search and rescue dog here? Valuable hours were lost. Would having our own SAR dog prevented this tragedy? Does SF need a dog like Cisco? I’d say yes.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/articles.html?s=training-a-sar-search-and-rescue-dog
https://m.facebook.com/Cisco-Rapid-City-Fire-Departments-Rescue-Dog-1484091905174551/
I will say this, there is a lot of speculation in this matter. Until OSHA and the city has done a full investigation, I’m willing to give all parties the benefit of the doubt.
In the end, a lot of lives will be dramatically affected.
Where was this company for the Zip Feed Mill…….