:: rawblogXport ::

:: Monday, August 02, 2004 ::

Once-model bridge project had cracks behind scenes BY JOE MAHR AND ROBIN ERB, Toledo Blade, OH
Just like on the smaller crane, ironworkers from Local 55 would be tapped to anchor the complicated big cranes in place during each move - on equipment they'd never operated before.

'Truthfully, this is an exotic animal,' said Joe Blaze, Local 55's business manager. 'This is not a normal rig that the ironworkers are used to dealing with. They've never seen anything like this.'

Along the way, Fru-Con modified how they anchored the crane - using fewer high-tension bolts than originally recommended, OSHA would later conclude.

Fru-Con last week insisted that Paolo de Nicola had given its blessing to the modifications. But the Italian firm's attorney countered that the firm had voiced concerns over construction procedures before Feb. 16.

Regardless, Mr. Blaze said, ironworkers were left to do 'what they were told.'

And beyond the learning curve, the new cranes meant a loss of control.

Longtime ironworker James Savoy said he's used to sitting on a structure as a crane delivers material up to him. But with the erection cranes, the equipment is overhead.

'The difference here is we usually control what we're doing,' said Mr. Savoy, a foreman on the smaller erection crane. 'In this job, everything is over top of you. If something happens, there's no way out.'"

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