this post was submitted on 26 May 2025
106 points (97.3% liked)

World News

48976 readers
2024 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
top 9 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 41 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

As they were being hoisted up to their workplace on a bridge pier in a man-sized cage attached to a crane the steel cable above them snapped and the cage plummeted.

WTF!?

At a height of up to 90 metres

90 metres! ALL depending on one rusty cable!?

It is also striking that the transport gondola was attached to only one cable and that there were no other safety devices.

IDK if this is normal, but goddam I wouldn't want to work under such poor safety conditions.
RIP brave workers, hopefully this will result in stronger safety measures.

[–] hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That was the striking thing to me as well. One cable with no backup safety mechanisms. Unbelievable.

[–] taladar@sh.itjust.works 10 points 2 months ago

Unfortunately very believable to anyone with a familiarity with this type of accident (the type where worker/customer safety depends on management decisions) throughout history.

[–] underwire212@lemm.ee 9 points 2 months ago

Safety regulations are often written in blood unfortunately.

RIP

[–] xzot746@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah it is normal on cranes (not 100% about Germany), but the single line (whip) is more than suitable for the weight of man baskets, and it is much faster as you're not going through as many sheaves. Usually you attach the main connector to the hook and the safety line to the cable above the hook, but not connected to the cable like using a shackle to loop over the cable.. So if for some reason the hook on the main connector fails you still have the cable above the hook, but if the cable itself fails then that's it you're done.

Usually cables are inspected but unfortunately shit can still happen.

[–] Enkrod@feddit.org 7 points 2 months ago

Soooo many broken regulations

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Are there typically secondary systems used in these scenarios? Was the company performing regular inspections and maintenance on the crane? The article doesn't say.

[–] Scubus@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

At least in the US, secondary systems are mandatory, as are inspections. I would have to imagine those are required, but werent getting done.

[–] Waldelfe@feddit.org 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I'm German and I worked in an office with managers and engineers who had a background in construction or related jobs. There is a very strong attitude of "We didn't need that bullshit back when I was an apprentice." There is a lot of scoffing at people who wear saftey gear and follow the rules. Corners are being cut and safety rules ignored because "we didn't need all that bullshit back then and losing a finger or two is just part of the job".

Some German news articles mention that the company in charge of the project had a bad track record when it comes to following safety regulations and the very same construction site had to be stopped before due to broken bolts in the bridge.