October 09, 2009, 2:23pm

10 bucks well spent for SMJ readers.

September 14, 2009, 2:30pm

13-story ski jump in Soldier Field, Chi-town, circa 1956. Constructed by Gilco Scaffolding.

July 14, 2009, 2:36pm

Crane Accidents are Preventable!

“Recently we have seen a surge in serious injuries and deaths from crane accidents due to crane collapses, tip overs, crane design defects, overloading, falling equipment, dropped loads from poor rigging, working in high winds, electrocutions from high voltage electrical wire contact, spills, injuries during erection or dismantling of the crane, falls, lack of inspections, mechanical failure, operator error and negligence and inadequately trained or certified crane operators. Additionally there is a shortage of highly skilled crane operators due to the tremendous need and job opportunities overseas on huge construction projects, offshore and platform oil & gas drilling operations and projects in the Middle East, Asia and other foreign countries.

Even though crane accidents are a rare occurrence, bad injuries and deaths can result, when they do happen. Due to nature of the beast, cranes are heavy, they carry heavy loads & objects high in the air and when there is a collapse, loads fall, tip-over or other crane related incident or accident, gravity increases the forces involved and people get badly hurt. Hopefully with further crane accident education of the dangers of cranes and riggings and more required training and certifications of crane operators, there will be fewer crane accidents in the future. Until then, we must hold the negligent parties accountable. If not, crane accidents will become more frequent and the toll of human lives and families will become intolerable.”   

-David P. Willis,  Attorney at Law

Crane Collapses, Tip Overs & Accidents

Crane accidents of course occur in many varied ways.  When you have an inexperienced or poorly trained operator behind the controls of a 1 ton or a 500 ton crane or any size crane for that matter, then anyone within the zone of danger is a potential victim. Just one careless or reckless move can cause the lives of dozens of workers nearby. Below are some examples of the most common types of cranes

• Mobile Crane Accidents
• Tower Crane Collapses & Accidents
• Marine & Ship Crane Accidents
• Railroad Yard Crane Accidents
• Cherry Pickers & Truck Crane Accidents
• Manlift Accidents & Bucket Trucks

Crane Accident ? Talk to a Trial Attorney for Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a crane accident, tipover, fall or collapse, then call the Willis Law Firm in Houston, Texas to discuss the legal options available to you and your family. Call to talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. All cases accepted on a contingency fee basis! Call us if we can assist you.

July 13, 2009, 5:30pm

Skillcrane

Better Than Ezra

Margaritas

May 29, 2009, 1:23pm

More walking draglines.

May 28, 2009, 10:41am

Mega City One by Night

From Ron Smith’s Judge Dredd

April 29, 2009, 10:31pm

This is seriously happening right outside my office window right now.

April 20, 2009, 2:31pm

I like to imagine California is full of sexy cranes and sexier crane operators…

April 15, 2009, 1:18pm

Self Erecting Tower Crane

If there was ever a tumescent crane erection video worthy of the title crane porn, this is it.

Thanks to the newly hitched @kevrotti

March 06, 2009, 8:42am

We’re sending this guy down from the orbiting SMJ Battlestation to break ground on our towering terrestrial docking station today. It’s going to be centrally located downtown and the ground floor storefront will maintain a number of overpriced dining establishments as well as the SMJ curiosities shop. We are interested to know if the assholes in your carpool will notice Devastator getting serious shit done down there, or if they’ll just be whining about who’s actually going to come to Austin to live in our enormous awesome building.

p.s. fuck valentines day and presidents’ day, again, for good measure.

February 16, 2009, 2:04pm

Highwall mining equipment. Part 2 of a series.

February 06, 2009, 10:37am

Boom length: 150 m.

Working bucket load weight: 7,600,000 kg.

They walk.

Lots more at stripmine.org. Buy one here.

February 03, 2009, 9:31am

January 12, 2009, 9:00am

Dino-juice.

January 05, 2009, 2:11pm