Construction: A World Without OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Not too long ago a friend sent me a bunch of photographs of the Empire State Building taken while the building was being erected. Each picture came with appropriate caption talking about safety at work, more specifically at the construction site. Skimming and scanning the email over and over again convinced me once more how paramount safety is – not only in construction but in all fields of work. Disregarding safety guidelines at work (if there is any) will surely result to a loss of precious lives.

Here is a classic example. Here in the Philippines where safety is not of primary concern by most contractors, at least 10 construction workers died at the construction site of a residential condominium in Makati City when the cables of the improvised elevator they were using snapped last January 27, 2011, causing the gondola to collapsed mid-air. Accidents like this are common in the Philippines for lack of stringent safety regulations and implementation. Construction workers are also to blame for often violating safety regulations despite the warnings from their supervisors. Later, an investigation found out the cause of the accident as overloading. The ill-fated elevator is only good for 3 persons; but during the time of the accident, a total of 11 persons were inside the gondola. The investigation also found some violations such as: lack of permit to operate the elevator and lack of safety devices. In addition, the 11 workers were found not wearing helmets and harnesses as mandated by safety regulations.

When I started working as a structural designer (specializing in connection design) in an American company, I learned that their concern for safety extends beyond construction: it applies to both engineering and design. In the design of connection, for example, the outcome of the design is dictated not by strength requirements alone but also by safety requirements. Safety dictates provisions for the minimum requirements in the design of connections and other structures. Provisions for a ‘safety construction’ is already incorporated and long been decided during the engineering and design stage of the structure. All these are provided for and mandated by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA exists with a mission. Excerpts:

OSHA’s Mission

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

OSHA establishes and enforces protective standards and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs. OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2,400 inspectors and about 550 state consultants, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standard writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 130 offices throughout the country.

OSHA works to assure the safety and health of all of America’s working men and women. Most employees in the nation come under OSHA’s jurisdiction. Other users and recipients of OSHA services include: occupational safety and health professionals, the academic community, lawyers, journalists, and personnel of other government entities.

Part of OSHA’s mission is to provide assistance to employers to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards. OSHA provides a vast array of informational and training materials focusing on numerous safety and health hazards in the workplace.

But prior to OSHA, how did workers observe safety at work? This is actually the subject of the email sent by a friend. The pictures of Empire State Building while being erected give us a glimpse of how construction looked like then with the absence of safety regulations.

Empire State Building Being Built in 1930

No such thing as OSHA back then! Amazingly, it is believed only 5 people died during the construction and one of them was hit by a truck. Interesting photos taken during construction of the Empire State Building.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Start of work in 1929 (and completed in 1931)

"The Empire State Building was built in 1930. Safety won't be invented until much later."

"Check size of those impact wrenches... with no ear protection?"

"Fall protection? What are you, some kind of sissy?"

"Move it, move it, this building won't move itself!"

"Move back a little and that should teeter this beam up in place."

"Just a jump to the left and i'll be safely on those loose scaffold boards."

Lunch Time

"What a great time to just unwind and relieve stress, with no worries???"

"Why didn't I walk in the inside?" Note: Check out the top of the Chrysler Building way down there to the right.

"If this spanner wrench slips and hits me on the nose... I wonder if I will bleed before I hit the sidewalk?" Note: A great view of New York in 1930, with Central Park at the very top center.

Please note the scaffold board the guy on the right is supported on.

"I have no idea what this guy is doing but sure would be glad that was not my job."

Safety work seats and project elevators of the 1930's.

Check the "tricked out" low profile tires on the "dragster" truck, 1930 model.

This way back in an era when real men built real big things, from Empire State Building to the Hoover Dam, using the power of their back, muscles and sweat. Aren't you glad those times have changed? These photos were taken by LEWIS HINE

Credits: The original Email has originated from Wilmer Rutt [willrutt@sbcglobal.net]