Standard vertical elevators have had it too good, for too long. After the first cable dependent elevator was unveiled in 1857, not much has changed in the elevator industry. They’re still using cable systems and still only going up and down. But not anymore. ThyssenKrupp has officially made a multi-directional elevator a reality.
Read more2nd Construction Worker Rescued from Failed Suspended Scaffolding in Sarasota, Florida Within a Month
You may remember a story we shared at the end of June about a rescue of a construction worker who was dangling from a suspended scaffold 15 stories in the air. The Sarasota County Fire Department completed a very skilled rescue, in which one firefighter scaled down the side of the building to the trapped worker, attached him to a harness, and both men were hoisted back up to the roof. The cause of that failure was a snapped line. At that time, the fire chief mentioned that he rarely sees events like this and that only 5 or 6 rescues like this have happened in his 29 year career.
Read more[VIDEO] Watch a 1930s Rotary Jigsaw Be Restored to Former Glory
I’ve recently been following a channel on Youtube called Hand Tool Rescue and it’s been fascinating to learn the history of antique hand and power tools. I didn’t realize how long ago many power tools – most of which we still use today – were created. It’s perhaps even more fascinating to watch a rusty old machine that hasn’t been used in decades be completely restored to working condition. His videos don’t have voice overs, so you have to pay close attention to his methods, but every step of the process is shown.
Read moreOSHA Updates Online Whistleblower Complaint Form
OSHA currently controls over 20 laws that protect workers who file safety complaints against their employer or other employees. In general, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation from their employer.
Read more[VIDEO] Watch a Beautifully Executed Demolition of Century Old Asbestos-Filled Smoke Stack
Smoke stack demolitions are always fun to watch because they typically stand much taller than the buildings surrounding them, giving cameras great views of the carnage. They don’t always go well, like when a 2.6 million pound brick stack fell directly on top of an excavator (the operator was fine, by the way), but they’re always dramatic.
Read moreSan Fran’s Sinking, Tilting Millennium Tower Continues to Sink, Tilt Even More
In August of 2016, it was discovered that a luxury high rise condominium complex in San Francisco, which houses several celebrities, was sinking and leaning considerably. The 58-story Millennium Tower contains home that range in value of anywhere from $1.6 million to $10 million. Since the discovery, fingers have been pointed in all directions and several lawsuits have been filed.
Read more[UPDATE] Cause of Death of 3 Construction Workers Who Died in Florida Manhole Determined
In January of this year, tragedy struck a Florida construction company when 3 construction workers died while working underground below a newly paved road. After the first worker entered the hole and collapsed after entering the confined space through a manhole, the second went in to rescue him and also collapsed, followed by the third. After a post-incident investigation, OSHA has released their findings, as well as several fines.
Read more[VIDEO] 18-Ton Wheel Loader Dances on Two Wheels
There are plenty of amazing heavy equipment operators across the country that can do things that you would never imagine possible. For instance, prepare and dress a hot dog, be a soccer goalie, and dunk a basketball. Popping a wheelie and bouncing on two wheels is equally as impressive.
While none of those skills above belong anywhere near a job site, it’s still pretty amazing to see exactly what those gigantic and powerful machines are capable of. This particular “dancing” routine in the video below was a way to draw attention to the machine at an industry trade show. Based on the crowd turn out at the event, I’d say that Foton Lovol accomplished just that. The FL958G-II Front End Wheel Loader clearly has some pretty good balance.
Enjoy the video from Foton Lovol below:
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[UPDATE] OSHA Sets Launch Date of Electronic Injury & Illness Reporting Application
In late June, OSHA pushed the enforcement of their 2016 rule which will require employers to electronically submit injury and illness reports from July 1, 2017 to December 1, 2017. At that time it was unknown when the administration would launch the platform to submit the data online, but that has now been decided.
Read moreCaterpillar Invests $2 Million in Robotic Bricklaying Company
Caterpillar is not resting on what made it successful in the past anymore and probably for good reason. The equipment manufacturing giant recently bought Yard Club, a heavy construction equipment sharing company, looking to take advantage of the recently popularized sharing economy. Earlier this month, Caterpillar invested $2 million in Fastbrick Robotics, an Australian robotic technology company.
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On Tuesday morning, February 23, the Syracuse Fire Department responded to a call about a collapsed crane on a construction site near the university. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.