Another Crane Collapse in Manhattan — Page 2

Yeah, the high-rise construction in Chicago is insane right now, but I haven't heard about any crane accidents here at all. Something seems very fishy in NYC to have so many accidents in such a short period of time.

---

From the AP article:

===

A city inspector resigned after his arrest on charges of falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing.

In April, the city's buildings commissioner resigned, under fire over a rising number of deadly construction accidents that have left more than 26 construction workers dead in the past year.

Since then, the city has added extra inspections at building sites and required that its staff be on hand whenever the towering cranes were raised higher, a process known as a jump. Those procedures are still being revised.

Construction Crane Falls in Manhattan

---

There have been crane collapses for a long time. I remember when the high rises were going up in Bailey's Crossroads here and (I think I remember this correctly) there were two bad collapses. In both cases the investigations showed that the owners had pushed (read - PAID) the builders and inspectors to speed up the construction in order to reduce costs.

When concrete is prepared correctly, it hardens in a slow process that involves a chemical reaction between the water and other materials. The mixture creates heat that slows down the hardening process and allows the concrete to 'cook' and sufficiently harden. To speed this process up, the mixture is adjusted so it dries quickly but never sufficiently hardens. Hiking that heavy crane on top of this new concrete places it on a more fragile base - and you see the results.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it hadn't happened again.

---

I live on 1st Ave between 90th and 91st. What is astounding is how quickly things kick into clean up mode. The entire block is literally clogged with cranes and dumpsters whereas three hours ago it was all rescue vehicles and fire trucks.

Yesterday, I was working on an assignment for a photography class I'm taking. The assignment is about contrasts, be it visual or ideas.

I took a photo of a restaurant across the street that showed the delivery guys on the street having much more fun than the patron sitting at the front table. I was pretty pleased with the shot.
What is freaking me out a little is a lot of this morning's tragedy played out in front of the same restaurant...that's where they took the crane operator's body initially. That's where some of the rescue workers took off their helmets in a moment of respect. And that's where the FDNY chaplain comforted the crew chief, who then comforted the widow (?) of the man who died.

Now, the very same spot is filled with bright red rolling dumpsters.

Quite a visual commentary about life marching on...

---

There HAVE been a couple crane accidents in the loop here, Matt. Just in the last couple of months, as a matter of fact. Nothing of this magnitude, but one was on Monroe near Wabash and I walked by it the day after. It was in the alley between buildings and not right on the street, which is fortunate, but it does happen and still could at any moment. They way buildings are going up around here it is a wonder it does not happen more frequently.

I am glad you are fine, flit. Use the photos. There is your contrast, Life/Death in a day same shot.

---

Sueleen - I had no idea! I don't remember hearing a thing about them. Crap! I've been worried about a particular crane in my neighborhood, but I'm moving soon. Unfortunately, it's out of the frying pan and into the fire, crane-wise.

---

I was a block away (2nd Ave), in the shower when it happened...had to stay in the city last night.

I didnt hear anything, until I was getting dressed and the sirens started...there was a busload of kids screaming, I think they saw what happend waiting for the bus...then cops showed up and got them on the bus.

The freakiest thing was 1. not knowing what was happening and 2. the helicopters...there were so many I couldnt count! Glad I got to the subway.

---

Very dangerous.

---