This article is a bit of an eye opener.
In previous posts we have discussed the application of welding for use on regulated work, as it applies to pressure equipment. As you can imagine people performing this type f work have a liability to make sure it is done by certified welders. What most people don't pay attention to is that the same rules apply to structural welding, but this is often overlooked.
So what is the risk? Owner companies, and contractors are supposed to be checking certifications for the people coming onto their job sites to weld. This is not to say that certification is a guarantee of the quality of the work being performed. What if no one is checking? this can also happen, and doesn't bring any attention until failure occurs......
Here is a story where I got called to a job site to re attach a "Lug" that had failed. The weld broke, and had a cable running through it. When the weld failed, the force behind the cable crushed a workers leg , broke his femur and injured him seriously. The femur is the largest bone in the body I did not know this had happened before I was dispatched to the job site.
When I arrived the at the workplace, the energy, and attitude was not pleasant. There was a lot of heads hung low because the entire project was under investigation by worksafe, and no one was allowed back to work until the investigation was complete. They had a full team of inspectors there who would be performing dye testing on the completed weld, and more investigators on the way. The crew at site was in general, quite down, and understandably so. One or their co-workers was in the hospital, and lucky to be alive.
As it turns out, the person who had attached this lug previously was of unknown certification or qualification, and it had been in service for years, until finally it failed. If you can imagine when some one gets hurt or loses their life at work, employers , workers, and families want to know why.
I'm not privy to the entire outcome of the investigation, but I image there would have been some fines involved, and depending on the possibility of negligence, there could possibly be criminal charges. Yes, criminal charges. In Canada , when a workplace accident happens , and there is a case where there is probable negligence, the person responsible for directing the work can be found criminally responsible, and face fines, or even jail time. This would also apply to turning a blind eye to using non certified welders to perform work on components that support people.
Unfortunately, when this type of thing continues to happen, is why they say the safety standards are written in blood. Meaning somebody eventually got hurt or lost their live before it became law.
The problem is that until a failure actually occurs, a lot of people don't check , nor do they realize the risks they are taking and putting onto other people.
I hope you enjoy this post, as it's , meant to be an eye opener to the consequences as it applies to due diligence that supervisors need to be aware of. My heart goes out to those who have paid the price on job sites, and am hoping to spread the message so as not to be for nothing.
Even though this appears to be a very small component, its super important.
Repairs to failed component below
Have nice day everybody.
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