Brooklyn, New York – A man plummeted to his death when a scaffold collapsed as he moved from one platform to another.
Henryk Siebor, 42, died at the scene when he fell five stories from the scaffold they were working on. Investigators suspect that he was moving from the platform he was on; to another to inspect a problem with the way it was rigged. Siebor had two co-workers working with him; luckily they were able to survive by holding on while they dangled on their harnesses. All three men were provided with and were wearing safety harnesses but according to reports, Siebor wasn’t tied off properly to the building. The other two workers were rescued through the fourth-story window with only minor injuries.
The three men were replacing the brick facade of the Ansonia Condominiums. Reports say that the building had several outstanding violations although none are recent or related to scaffolding. A stop-work order has been issued while investigations are going on.
Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert Limandri was quoted saying “We have two people that are very lucky. They are lucky to be alive. Their colleague is not, so the message is make sure you’re tied off, make sure you’re wearing your safety harness and make sure you talk to the person you’re working for”.
It’s not enough that you have personal protective equipment; you also have to make sure that it is being used properly. Accidents happen even to the most skilled and experienced workers. Never forget to wear your PPE; it may mean more lives saved next time.
This is a great point. Not only do you have to have the equipment, but you have to use it properly. If you don’t take the time to properly use your equipment, you’re wasting your money. It’s like buying a new flat screen TV and turning it towards a wall.
That’s an excellent way of putting it. LOL!
Thanks for the feedback Doug!
The problem really is the training, a large majority of these accidents seem to involve non-english speaking workers. They are sitting in on training and not truly understand what it being explained to them. As long as they sign in they are credited with attending the course and receive some form of certification which will state they have been trained. You cannot use something properly if you are not able to understand the training you are given to use it.