User profile: lvgirl

I understand that probably hit a button with you and I am sorry for that. I was speaking from the side of a contractor. A contractor can not hold the hand of every employee and make sure they tie off. The fact is the only thing that could save someone from a fall whether it is 6 ft or 100ft is being tied off to a secure item. The distance of the fall doesn't really matter. Someone can fall 6 ft and still die if they land the wrong way. I am not arguing for the sake of an argument it's just there has only been one side told in the media. My friend I spoke of earlier died because he did something he probably should not have and the material that the law said was meant to hold the weight didn't hold up. The seat belt issue was an example of a safety issue that most people ignore all of the time and could ultimately cost them their life. Just like if you don't tie off. It's ashame that people pay for an oversight with their life. Mr. Cole mentioned he knew someone that fell 30ft and lived. I also know of someone that fell 12ft and died. It is going to be an on going battle through the years because when the next person falls 30ft and dies because they were not tied off then what are they going to blame that on? Again I just want everyone to see both sides of the issue. There is and has been a lot of safety training done over the years and no matter how much is done if someone doesn't follow procedures they can wind up seriously injured or hurt.

Spurdy: I am sorry for your loss and I am glad that you have Mr. Cole to speak on the behalf of your family. My issue with him is maybe if he would have felt this way years ago when he lost men on his own jobsites and fought to change the laws instead of his fines maybe some of these present deaths could have been prevented. We can all keep pointing the finger at the contractors and at OSHA but the employees need to work safer too. The same men that go on the news saying they are forced to work long hours are the same men that drag up the minute you cut them back to 40 and head to the next overtime job. Between the unions, contractors & OSHA there is a lot of training and actions being taken to be safer but no one talks about that in the news. The workers are given all of the rules and tools to be safe and they have to take responsibility and use them. Think of this like getting a driver license. You are trained in both safety and operating a vehicle to acquire your license and once you pass the test you get your license. Now you hop in the car and get in a serious accident while you were not wearing your seat belt. Should the DMV be responsible after your were told never to operate a vehicle without a seat belt. These workers are told over and over that safety is the first priority yet they still ignore it until something tragic happens. I have seen how the contractors and OSHA have been stepping up and they are doing a great job. Instead of attacking them maybe we should back off so they can do their job before another tragic accident strikes. I have lost a friend to the construction industry and I do know how you feel. It's a dangerous profession and needs to be taken seriously by all in order to make it safer.

I am so very sorry that the truth hurts. If you only had any idea how your father conducted business you would be ashamed. I am also sorry it took the death of a family member to change his his morals and do something after years of putting ironworkers lives in jeapordy to save money and put an extra buck in his pocket. And as far a corrupt he wrote the book stealing money from ironworkers for years. Please talk to your father before you get upset with me. I am sure he wouldn't tell you the real truth.

Mr. Cole speaking out on the behalf of Ironworkers and safety issues is a joke. He has owned companies in this town where men have died and been ripped off for pay and benefits. Most recently in 2005 an employee of his fell 60ft to his death at the South Coast project where he was not tied off and no fall protection was beneath him to protect him from falling 60ft. No one should go to work and lose their life. It's just sad there isn't a better representative to speak for all the voices that need to be heard.