Spotted! #3.

This was taken at a historic high school just a few blocks for my house. I heard two men talking and turned around to see this scene.  The building is a beautiful Art Deco style which was recently remodeled.  The word “Auditorium” in large aluminum letters can now be seen on the overhang where the men are standing.

Simply, the two primary violations are:          1. The wrong ladder was used for access. an extension ladder would have been a safer choice. When the worker is stepping between the roof and the ladder, there is a good chance the ladder will fall away from the structure.

2. The second obvious violation is that the men are working more than six feet above the lower level without Fall Protection.  The roof of the structure is easily accessible and has several suitable anchorage points.

The other violations are not so obvious. A simple assessment of the hazards of this work could have been completed in very little time. The workers could then be trained in the hazards they would face and how to protect themselves from the hazards. Proper planning, supervision and training would have prevented these workers being exposed to serious hazards.

The building is on the campus of Lamar High School, a part of the Houston Independent School District – one of the largest school systems in the country. It is surprising that a school system would have such a failure to address safety issues and protect its workers.

These men have families who would love for them to come home at the end of each day. What project completion schedule was so important that it overruled common sense and the need to protect the workers?

See our Web site: SafetyRich