Tool Box Talk: Unsafe Act – The Right Tool for the Job

The picture above shows two men working on reinforcing bars for a concrete pillar.

The two are equipped with all the right gear, including hi-visibility vests, hard hats and even harnesses – and an aerial work platform.

However……. The lift they are using is a 19ft electric slab scissor lift – with a working height of 25ft/7.5m totally unsuited for such work, if for no other reason the work is at 28ft/8.5m, at least a metre higher than the machines capability.

The work appears to involve welding and it looks like the two have a large lead spiraling up from the ground.

What is the solution? Not stop and find a more suitable machine such as a boom lift. No that would be too easy. So the old standby of standing on the top guardrail does the job.

With rebar around, welding and his precarious perch this definitely qualifies as a Death Wish.

While most people pulling this stunt will get away with it – especially on a scissor lift where they are usually up against something they can hang onto, one wonders what sort of planning went into this contract?

These men are kitted out with all the PPE kit so someone on site cares…or wants it to look like they care – about health and safety and yet this sort of practice goes on.

Lesson 1: Good job planning will enable us to identify the correct tools and equipment for a job.

Lesson 2: We must recognize the risk introduced when we improvise or can’t be bothered to stop and get the right tool/equipment for the task.

And a bonus quote from Albert Einstein:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Thanks for the share, TO!