Conway truck hit by falling beams

Looks like the crane operator's rigging was not centered over his load as he hoisted it causing it to swing out into live traffic. A tag line would not have stopped that from happening, however a worker attached to the tag line would have provided an extra set of eyes to signal the operator to center his rigging better.

I took a rigging class sponsored by my union last year. At completion we received "Qualified Rigger" cards. They didn't want to call us "Certified Riggers" as it carries too much legal baggage if something like this happens. Companies are more and more trying to shift responsibility to the workers out there and shed some of the liability off of themselves.

I've seen 3 cranes flip over during my career and heard of many other events. The operators were all fired in each instance.

 

I use to be a tankee and hung 20' x 6' steel sheets with a boom truck. I also use to build houses and used boom trucks on numerous occasions lifting trusses and stuff. I think I have as much experience as you putting a bundle of shingles on a roof. You always did what you had to maintain control of what you were lifting, even in high winds. You were always aware of your danger zone and prevented people from entering it.
Poles just don't swing wildly out of control unless someone inexperienced was at the controls and proper safety measures weren't practiced. Now here comes a truck and your load is at the passengers height and you lost control and can't swing it out of the way. The only out you have is to drop it so it doesn't kill her. I highly doubt someone was under it as the lady was about 5' off the ground in a truck seat.

Accidents just don't happen. People make them happen with negligence. A deer running out in front of you is an accident.

I just seen scottied67 post. Thanks. Yep poor rigging, inexperienced.

 

Holly cow.. They are lucky to be alive. Hope she is ok, any updates on her condition?