By Jason Hogan, Diversified Safety Services
On March 26, the nation was stunned when the Key Bridge in Baltimore vanished within minutes, leading to worldwide transportation chaos for months. While the details of the incident are still under investigation, let’s discuss the safety principles in place and our response to this tragedy.
In any large-scale construction project, especially bridge renovations, safety is of utmost importance. Adhering to rigorous safety protocols and guidelines throughout every phase of the project is crucial. This includes:
- Thorough training for all personnel involved.
- Implementation of proper safety equipment such as harnesses, helmets, and safety ropes.
- Regular inspections of scaffolding and other temporary structures.
- Strict adherence to traffic control measures to protect both workers and motorists.
- Constant vigilance for potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, electrical wires, or unstable materials.
Additionally, clear communication among team members and regular safety meetings are essential to ensure everyone remains informed and alert. By prioritizing safety at every step, bridge renovation projects can proceed efficiently while minimizing the risk of accidents or injuries.
When I started in this industry 17 years ago, safety was important, but the emphasis and awareness on its importance have only grown each year. Large companies like Clark, Whiting-Turner, and Gilbane have a very high level of internal safety standards. While safety protocols are mandatory for all companies, larger construction firms are generally more proactive. It’s encouraging to see this change. Smaller companies, with 30 people or less, often do the bare minimum due to cost constraints. Although safety procedures and equipment are worth the investment in the long run, the upfront costs and time required can be challenging for smaller companies to manage.
A recent CBS study found that a majority of U.S. bridges lack impact protection. While it’s nearly impossible to prevent all bridge accidents, the engineering department at Johns Hopkins is currently studying which U.S. bridges are at risk of catastrophic collapse. Even with alarms and sensors, which while widely implemented, but not always taken seriously, preventing a 100% collapse at the point of impact is almost impossible. Some situations may be unavoidable despite our best efforts.
The increasing size of cargo ships also heightens the likelihood of catastrophic accidents. Have any safety changes been made to cargo ships since the Baltimore Key Bridge accident? I certainly hope we’ve learned something. As someone who traveled across the Key Bridge about three times a week, the collapse hit me hard.
When I first learned about the accident, I was incensed that the ship was allowed to leave its original port, let alone Baltimore, in its condition. It’s clear that for some companies, safety is not a priority over profit. Why are we ignoring alarms, precautions, and other safeguards in place?
Fortunately, the companies I work with maintain stringent safety standards, have zero tolerance for errors, and take safety very seriously. However, it’s easy to become complacent when everything seems to be going well. These tragedies serve as a wake-up call for all of us to stay alert, double-check, and not take safety lightly.
In my daily work, whether ensuring the safety of worksites at government or non-government facilities or conducting bridge inspections, I’ve learned that the small things often make a big difference. If everyone could take 10 minutes one day a week to have a quick safety meeting about the hazards they face on their job sites, acknowledging and being accountable for them, it would significantly reduce the frequency of accidents. Deal?
About the author:
Jason Hogan is the government operations manager for Diversified Safety Services, overseeing roughly 30 people who work in various government facilities in the northern Virginia, DC Maryland area.
