COMMERCIAL TRACTOR TRAILER REPAIR SHOP FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS CAN YOU SPOT THEM?

In this article I will post some pictures of a place I use too work at. These pictures were taken with premission of said employeer and I took these pictures the same night the fire inspector came and did his so called fire inspection and pass the building as being compliant with State, Local, County Building and BOCA Building Codes. Just look at the gross neglect and how careless the inspector was! Allowing storage of Caustic, Paint Thinners, Paint, Caulk, gallon of WD40, combustibles and several packs of steel wool......you are asking for trouble. These are stored in a plactic storage locker and about 25' away is a marked flammable storage locker. But look at the pictures.....from NO SMOKE DETECTOR TO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS NOT MARKED, SERVICED, INSPECTED AND IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF SAID EQUIPMENT TO THE USE OF AN OIL TRANSFEER PUMP THAT IS NOT FOR THE USE ITS BEING USED FOR. THE PUMP DOES NOT HAVE APPROVAL FOR HAZARDS LIQUIDS OR FOR IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT!

EPIC FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE FIRE CHIEF, THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE BUILDINGS OWNER AND THE MECHANIC THAT IS SUPPOSE TO PLACE THE SAID FLAMMABLES AND CAUSTIC IN THE PROPER PLACE.

MISSING SMOKER DETECTOR, THIS IS THE ONLY LOCATION IN THIS FACILITY FOR SMOKE DETECTOR.

 TOP LEFT IMPROPER STORAGE UNDER WOOD STEPS, TOP RIGHT FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN A PLASTIC STORAGE CABINET >BRAKE FLUIDS, BRAKE CLEANERS, WINDOW CLEANERS, BUFFING COMPOUNDS, THINNERS, TURPENTINE, AIR LINE ANTIFREEZWE, ANTI-FREEZE, DEISEL FUEL ADDITIVE.

 IMOPROPER UNSECURED STORAGE ON A WOOD COMBUSTIBLE MADE SHELF, ABOVE A TANK OF OIL.

ABOVE IS A STORAGE TANK FILLED WITH DIESEL FUEL NOT MARKED, ABOUT  2' AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC CIRCUT PANEL

STORAGE UNDER THE STEPS OF COMBUSTIBLE FORM CARBURATOR/BRAKE CLEANER TOO A DIESEL ELECTRIC POWERED STEAM WASHER THAT IS IN USE EMITTING HOT GASES INTO THE BUILDING CAUSING A CO INCREASE AND NO EXHAUST SYSTEM TO EXTRACT THE CO FROM THE BUILDING.

 

STORAGE OF MIXED PARTS WITH FLAMMABLE COMPRESSED CLEANERS IN THE CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE SHELF

STORAGE OF PAINT, PAINT THINNERS, CAUSTIC ACIDS, CAULKS, WD40 AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLES IN A PLASTIC STORAGE LOCKER.

OIL DUMP AREA....THE PUMP IS NOT MARKED FOR HAZARD OR FLAMABLES LIQUIDS. LOOK AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. IF A FIRE WAS TOO HAPPEN IN THE AREA YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RETREIVE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE OIL DUMP AREA.

NO EMERGENCY ESCAPE LIGHTS ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING. THE DUAL LIGHTS ON THE MOTION DETECTOR ONLY WORKS ON MOTION AND WHEN NO LIGHTS ARE ON.....NOT APPROVED FOR EMERGENCY ESCAPE LIGHTS.

STORAGE OF COMBUSTABLES UNDER WOOD STEPS, WITH A PARTS WASHER SITTING AGAINST THE STAIR RAILINGS.  UNDER THE STEPS IS BRAKE CLEANERS, GALLONS OF OIL, TUBES OF GREASE, PAPER, AND WORK CLOTHES......NO STORAGE CONTAINER FOR WORK/SHOP TOWEL IN THE BUILDING.....THE MECHANIC TOSSES THE TOWELS IN WITH HIS WORK CLOTHES.

ALUMINUM LADDER LEANING AGAINST A BANK OF BATTERIES....WHAT YOU CANNOT SEE IS THAT THE LADDER IS TOUCHING ONE OF THE POSTS ON THE BATTERY.

Additional note: This building has outside electric oultlets that are not GFCI Protected nor is the Electric panel and they lay electric cords on the ground not waterproofed plugs. Make sure  when you inspect the building that at least the panel is GFCI portected on the panel if the outlets are not GFCI protected.

Note: the fire inspector completed this building in 15 minutes and it passed.....complete failure on his part too allow this to pass.

Be Fire Safe, Be Fire Wise and do a complete thorough inspection, as well as a complete fire building pre-plan include that they (business operators) have a complete MSDS for all chemicals that they use.

VARIOUS PICTURES OF GROSS NEGLECT AND POTENTIAL FIRE AND ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

LOOK PRETTY HARMLESS DOES IT NOT? BUT LOOKS ARE DECEIVING, THERE IS HIDDEN DANGERS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC EYE AND WITHIN REACH OF A HUMAN THAT WANTS TOO HURT AMERICANS, WEATHER ALSO COULD EFFECT THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT CLIMB ON OR ABOUT THE DISPLAY!

 EXPOSED WIRE ENDS RAIN AND WATER AND WATER CAN ENTER THE PLUG END IF THE END IS ENERGIZED THE WHOLE STATIC DISPLAY IS ENERGIZED!

 ABOVE  AND TO THE RIGHT: ONE OF MANY MULTI OUTLET PLUG NOT

MADE FOR THE ENVIORNMENT THAT ITS USED IN AND NOT CIRCUIT BREAKER PROTECTED ON THE OUTLET STRIP.

EXPOSED WIRE ON STATIC DISPLAY, MISSING WIRE NUT. NOT IN AN APPROVED ELECTRIC CONDUIT WEATHERPROOF CASE

MOWER CASUALTY OF WIRES. IF THE WIRES WERE ENERGIZED THE PERSON

THE GRASS WOULD OF BEEN INJURED OR KILLED! 

 MORE WIRES EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND THIS IS FACING DOWN NOT IN AN APPROVED CONDUIT AND ENCASED TO PROTECT THE WIRES AND HUMANS.

 THIS WIRE NUT IS WITHIN 4' OFF THE GROUND A YOUNG KID COULD TAKE OFF THE WIRE NUT AND EXPOSE THE WIRES......LOOK CLOSELY THE SECOND WIRE NUT HAS BEEN REMOVED AND THE WIRES ARE TOUCHING THE TRAIN ENGINE. IF ENERGIZED THE DISPLAY IS ELECTRIFIED AND WILL INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE.

EXPOSED "BROWN/BLACK EXTENSION CORD" THESE ARE KNOWN TO START FIRES! THESE ARE COMMONLY USED TO POWER ALARM CLOCKS, CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT, ETC.

 WIRE NUTS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS OF WEATHER
THESE ARE ABOUT 5' OFF THE GROUND. EASE OF ACCESS TO ANYONE TO REMOVE THE NUTS AND ENERGIZE THE TRAIN ENGINE.

ANOTHER MULTI OUTLET PLUG BARLEY UNDER THE TRAIN ENGINE. EASE OF RAIN TO GET INTO AND NOT MADE FOR OUTDOOR USE!







NONE OF THE WIRE NUTS SHOWN ARE THE SAME THESE GO FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRAIN ENGINE TO THE ENGINEER COMPARTMENT AND ALL WIRES ARE NOT ENCASED IN APPROVED CONDUIT. SO WHY HAS THIS DISPLAY PASSED A FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION, COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTION CITY BUILDING INSPECTION MUCH LESS A STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S INSPECTION?

Vacations; is the traveling public safe? What types of hazards loom behind the hidden areas? Are you safe when you are on vacation this year? How well has the fire departments inspected the following to make sure that all fire codes are adhered too at the local levels, state level and federal levels? Each state has varying levels of building codes. Most fire departments will use one of the following codes for building: • Southern Building Code Alliance • Building s Code Administration • National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA 101, and many other specific codes) • Know your local and state building codes that pertain to FIRE PROTECTION These are merely suggested safety building codes to make sure that structures are made for safety in mind of all occupants for life, health and safety. But I ask why there are some departments that overlook simple hazards? Maybe they are in a hurry? Maybe they got distracted by a question being asked? Maybe they had to respond to a call? Whatever the reason you should always go back and recheck to make sure that there is NO UNDERLYING HAZZARDS that may loom that could come back to haunt you and your staff. Having gone thru the Commercial Building Inspection course thru the NFPA and the University of Missouri, Fire Rescue Training Institute has made me more aware of lurking hazards. So I ask you and your department just how well they investigate/do commercial building inspections. Does the inspector really look at the building thoroughly or just give it a quick over? Are the inspectors equipped with a ladder to raise the drop ceiling tiles too look for extension cords that may be hidden up there? Do they carry flashlights to check in dark areas, behind, above, below hot water heaters? Are they checking the flue areas of the duct systems of commercial kitchens to ensure that there is not a buildup of grease in the flue duct? Are the inspectors carrying a stick/probe to ensure that the emergency escape lights are working? Are the Inspectors contacting the alarm company to ensure that pull stations and the alarm system is working properly? Are they inspectors checking the stand pipes for cap and make sure that the stand pipe connections are not blocked? Are the inspectors checking the PIV valve to ensure that the PIV is in the OPEN Position? Are the inspectors checking each and every Hotel/Motel Room to ensure that there is no use of extension cords? Is the Hotel/Motel equipped with GFCI outlets and follow the NEC codes with electrical outlets and use near water? Are the inspectors checking the Hotel/Motel Sprinkler Rooms for hidden dangers? Are the inspectors checking the Hotel/Motel to ensure that storage of flammable liquids and pool chemicals are stored correctly and properly marked? Are the Inspectors checking to ensure that all flammable storage is in the approved flammable storage locker? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that the KNOX LOCK BOX are installed correctly with the proper key in the box and marked to ease of access for all Emergency Responding crews? Are the Inspectors checking to ensure that all emergency contact information and back up emergency contact information is entered as well as alternate emergency contact information is contained within? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that all fire extinguishers are equipped, proper extinguisher for the location, filled, tagged with inspection from fire extinguisher company, proper ly marked for ease of access? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that the sprinkler are proper maintained, checked for proper pressure and no storage within the designated the allotted distance from sprinkler heads? Are the inspectors checking for improper overhead storage? The list is long and endless as what needs to be inspected. How long are the inspectors taking too do an inspection? So why as tax payers do we want to cut the safety of ourselves and others by cutting the inspection of said commercial business. And we cannot forget to include Carnivals, Theme Parks, Park Pavilions, Static Displays, Portable stages used at outdoor events, food booths at carnivals…..these also present the same types of hazards as a stick/concrete built structure! In the area of where I live see a local fire department that has an inspector that travels in a SUV style vehicle. I have seen the inspector go into a commercial structure and spend less then 30 minutes in the building doing the inspection! This is a paid Fire Building Inspector of a major Fire Protection District in the St. Louis, MO, he carried with him the following, a note book! No camera, No Ladder, No Stick to push the Emergency Light Test button to see if the battery is working and light the emergency escape lights……just the notebook to inspect a commercial truck trailer repair shop….>WOW is all I can say< ! I have been out of active inspection for some time but when I can spot such hazards as indicated in the pictures I know he could also! I sent the Fire Chief a letter and well I have to say that is the Fire Chief must of thrown the letter away because the next year the Fire Inspector walked in ate lunch with the mechanic signed the inspection paper work and left. WOW such little time and such disregard to the workers and too his department that a commercial truck trailer repair shop can be inspected this quick and with disregard too life, safety and property! This is where I use too work and I got permission to take pictures of said building by a CEO and I instructed him that I was using it in an article for Inspection purposes……he stated that’s fine, do not show the name of business. So I’ll Post some pictures…….in less than 3 minutes I found several violations. Where is the SMOKE DETECTOR? GONE, but the inspector let this go and passed the building as being compliant with all NFPA CODES, BOCA BUILDING CODES. UNSECURE OVERHEAD STORAGE MADE OF WOOD ABOVE FLAMMIBLE OIL STORAGE (NOT PROPERLY MARKED FLAMMABLE WITH NFPA HEALTH HAZARD STICKER) NEXT TOO THIS DRUM IS AN AIR COMPRESSOR, NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXCEPT ACROSS THE REPAIR SHOP ABOUT 75’ AWAY. Improper Flammable Storage…stored in a non-approved storage locker……this locker is made of plastic and not metal and vented properly. Caustic Storage with paints, paint thinner, steel wool, WD40, Caulks, and other combustibles….stored in a plastic storage locker and not an approved metal flammable storage locker. Improper storage of flammable diesel fuel, not marked storage container, this container sits within 3 feet of an electrical panel. Improper placement of fire extinguisher; this is placed directly over a dump area for used motor oil. Oil pump is not the correct pump it is not marked for flammable liquid transfer. If there is a fire in this area the fire extinguisher is inoperable as you will not be able to retrieve it too use. These were noticeable within the first 3 minutes inside of the repair facility! Did the inspector do the job correctly or was he a friend of someone or just did not care and just wanted to get as many places inspected he can a day. Commercial Building Fire Inspections is not a hurry inspection it is a full in-depth full scale investigation to ensure that there will be NO fires or hazards that could hamper life, safety, health or bring you and your creditability into a court of law! How thorough are the Fire Inspectors doing their job on inspection of Static Displays, Portable Stages, Food Booths at fairs, parks, tourist sites Here are some pictures of a static display at a tourist destination. If I can see exposed wiring from about 20 feet away why could the fire inspector see it? A letter was sent to the fire department addressing this issue. Also if you look very carefully under the train display are about 6 multi outlet plug extension cord that are not intended for outdoor use with live electrical wiring going into said outlets. The above pictures are of a static display where children and adults can climb all over the display……these Electrical Wire are within reach of anyone……if they take off the cap they energize the whole static display. Yet, the fire inspector allowed this too continue……wiring is not NEC Approved for this type of use nor is there any GFI outlets……let uss look at the next picture. Wires cut from a mower….and the ends are exposed to any child and or adult. Followed the cut wires form the lawnmower and found them going to the building……not in a conduit and on a GFCI outlet……does this type of wiring meet NEC (National Electrical Codes for use outside?) Static Display spot light that lights up the train……exposed wiring. Easy for someone to be electrocuted! Is the outlet overloaded? Are these GFCI Protected Outlets? Where is the encased wire in a conduit? This is under the steam locomotive ease and access to anyone. Rain……yes it too can get too the plugs. If I can spot these within a few minutes just looking at the display I am sure the Fire Inspector and firefighters can as well see them as I! So is your department doing a complete inspection on business, static displays, park pavilions, theme parks & carnivals? The Inspection Vehicles should be equipped with a minimum of the following equipment:  FLASHLIGHT  LADDER 16’ COMBONATION FOLDING “A” FRAME STYLE  WOOD DOWEL ROD AT LEAST 1” IN DIAMETER TOO USE TOO CHECK EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND SMOKE DETECTORS WHEN STANDING ON GROUND.  INSPECTION MIRROR TOO CHECK FOR HIDDEN DANGERS IN, BEHIND, UNDER, OVER AND IN HIDDEN SPCES SUCH AS FLUE DUCTS, EXHAUST HOOD IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS FOR HIDDEN DANGER. MOVE DROP CEILING TILES TO CHECK FOR HIDDEN DANGERS.  CAMERA TO DOCUMENT DANGERS TO AND TAKE PHOTOS TO HELP YOU WHEN PRE-FIRE PLANNING OF COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES AND THESE CAN BE DOWN LOADED TO A LAPTOP FOR QUICK ACCESS WHILE ON FIRE GROUND IF NEEDED. THE CAMERA CAN BE A FLIP, SMALL HAND HELD STYLE THAT CAN BE CARRIED EASILY INTO AND OUT OF THE BUILDING AND FIT INTO A POCKET.  GFCI CIRCUIT TESTER  YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A HAND HELD LIGHTWEIGHT MOVIE CAMERA TO HELP DOCUMENT THE FINDINGS AS WELL. THESE ARE A FEW ITEMS TOO TAKE WITH YOU ON A BUILDING INSPECTION. Finally, when you are doing your Fire Inspection at Hotel/Motel check each room for hidden dangers of plugs behind the head board and the mattress is pushed up against the light cords…..when the protective coating is broken and the light cord is plug in and the metal frame of the mattress is pushed against the broken protective sheath on the cord you have energized the bed and an electrocution hazard as well as a potential fire hazard. If I spot these few noticeable severe fire safety hazards then why has not the fire inspector done something about having the problems corrected? >Note the train and the electric cords is at the static display at DODGE CITY, KS. I have sent the fire chief a letter and a copy of the pictures….still today there has not been any corrections made and do not know if the electric lines are energized and I am not going to climb on the display until the electric cords are brought up to NEC, State and Local fire codes to ensure public safety. The wire nuts are within reach of a normal height person standing on the ground. < Be safe in the fire service and be sure to ensure public safety…..it’s your job!

Open Letter to "SO CALLED JOB CREATORS"

Dear "So Called Job Creators", lets set one thing straight on how you got to be so big and have the life style you do!

You have vilified the education in the USA. One thing is true. There are more Public Education teachers in the USA then Private. Before you got your start you received an education via some form wither public or private. Those teachers were taught by someone. they too go there education form either the same source. It is a domino effect. Stop the assault on the teachers. almost every family in the USA has someone in the education system at various levels.

Furthermore the following is true!
...
If it was not for the Unionized Construction Workers trained and educated you would not have the roads, bridges, electric, plumbing, and the office painted. As these professionals are highly skilled, trained, educated in the current building codes of there trades to build the building that you are currently manufacturing your products out of. Then they are transported on roads and bridges constructed by highly skilled unionized construction workers that know how to pour, finish concrete and set structural steel as they too have been educated in the building codes.
Your business in protected by Unionized Fire, Police and or EMS workers who do not know anything about you, your workers.....they only care about the well being of your, your family and co-workers. These professionals (Police, Fire, EMS) they too are highly skilled workers that have dedicated many hours of training and schooling to maintain a high level of education to make sure your business is safe and meets all the building codes too Wait you say that your business could be covered by volunteer firefighters......why yes, this too is true. But lets not to forget that these dedicated professionals too have to pay for education, training and related expenses out of there pockets. So by you shipping their jobs over seas they do not have the disposable income to maintain the training that they need. The fire dept does not have money to buy diesel fuel to put in the fire trucks. So the fire depts close, your fire insurance goes thru the roof.

And you blame your condition on this group of workers. The ones that have dedicated their life to helping you excel. You live a high life and pull the rug out from under them. You tell them that you need them to take cuts in pay and benefits. They do to make sure they have a job and you keep your business. But you repay them by closing the business sending jobs overseas and say its the UNIONS that caused you to go out of business. We call it a scam. Scamming us workers out of our money that you stated you would reinstate as well as insurance. And you wonder why the bond of trust has been broken and your workers do not want to talk too you, put any trust in you and does not want to even see you.

lets get one last thing clear. By no means does a non union worker know the same regulations, building codes, plumbing codes, electrical codes, NFPA Regulations, Life Safety Codes, NFPA 10 as a union worker does on any skilled trades. They put in many hours at night school to maintain a working knowledge of these codes to ensure that you have a safe home, business and your family is safe and sound while your in CHINA selling our jobs. These are the facts. But you are so deep in the smell of lies spewed from the talking puppets on the various forms of media.

You are not an American. As far as we are concerned you can move you & your family to CHINA so you are closer to your factory and your cheap child labor. Do not import your crap as we do not want it! You are now classified as UNAMERICAN

A Penny can save your life? Really it can!

The American Penny; we use it everyday to help pay for things. Most of use remember buying a piece of candy for a penny. But it was a very nice older man that had an auto repair shop near my home. I learned many things from him regarding auto repairs. I went to his church several time. had classes with his daughter and son in school.

One day he asked me if I thought a Penny could save a life. I was about 13 years old. I replied "I have no idea.....maybe not." He showed me that it was a real penny and placed the penny in a car tire. He told me that the penny told him that the car tire tread depth was a critical depth and needed to be replaced. I asked him to show me further. As I was young and so was my mind. I needed to gain as much knowledge as possible regarding this "TRICK"

Your car tires are manufactured by a company and there is a tread depth to each one. Most tires are manufactured with a tread depth around 8/32 to 10/32 tread depth. Most of use driving do not even know that info just they look at the tread and think......:it looks like they might be getting thin and might need new tires.

So when you go to the tire shop you ask for them to balance and rotate your tires. If the repair shop is a good shop the tech's will tell you your tire tread depth and about when they might need replacing. They should record the tread depth on your paper work and explain what can go wrong if they exceed a minimum tread depth. Manufactures will have a minimum depth before failure.

I stated that when you buy a new tire it can have between 8/32 to 10/32 tread depth. This will depend on the mileage of the tires you are buying. The higher mileage will have more tread depth......lower mileage tires will have less tread depth.

Now to the Penny and how it can save your life!

The Penny. You know what it is and what its used for but there is another use for this one cent piece. You can use it to check your tire tread depth.

>  Insert the Penny in the tire tread with President Lincoln heads upside down.
>  If you see his hole head and nothing is obstructed by the tire tread then you are below a minimum standard set forth by the FHSA (Federal Highway Safety Administration) of 2/32 tread depth.
>  If you cannot see the top of his head and at the point of the ear to top of the head is not shown by the tread depth you have between 2/32 and 4/32 seconds of tread depth.

You need to check the tires for the following > bald spots missing tread, steel belts showing these are early signs of tire failure. If these are on the steer tire and failure happens it can cause an accident. If you have a tire fail on you while you are driving not only will it cause an accident but it will cause major damage to your car.

By using a penny and inserting it upside down with the head inserted into the tread depth and seeing the top of President Lincoln head you are below a minimum of 2/32 tread depth and the tires need to be replaced. Always have the tire properly inflated to the pressure on the tire. Some will want to do what the vehicle says. But you are not buying the same tire that it was transported from the factory with.

I hope you can take from this that a penny is not a useless piece of money.

Good rule of thumb > > no less then 6/32 tread depth on the steer tires, 4/32 on the drive. DO NOT use when the tires are at 2/32 or blow. Tire failure is lurking around the corner. It may happen at the wrong time and place (raining, snowing, fog or side of mountain.)

Finally a small note > when you buy tire make sure that the tire sidewalls are not closed. You need the tire to be able to expel water, snow/sleet & freezing rain from the center groves to prevent HYDROPLANING!

I hope you have learned how a penny can save your life and vehicle repairs/maintenance.

Be safe,

Roy

Safety, why is this topic a cost cutting measure to save moeny?

Safety. What does it mean? Why are we told about this topic if the boss and owner does not want to spend money to increase SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAMS?

Yes, it may save you money on the front end but lets look at the long term effect of the issue.

If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to correct the problems?

What is SAFETY:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1W1ACEW_enUS360US360&q=safety&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&ei=yB7oTbgFh_jSAaWe6J4B&ved=0CE4QkQ4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2a9ecbf29d91d2ce&biw=1366&bih=540ct

Since we are born we are told about being safe. To wear our seat belts, wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle's. Not to dive in shallow waters. The list is long. I am sure you could list more.

SAFETY! Is it really a cost saving factor?

Safety, why do we compel ourselves to worry about this topic? Why do business owners and operators cut the budget of this topic and think in the long run it will save them BIG MONEY?

Yes, it may save you money on the front end but lets look at the long term effect of the issue.

> Increase cost of Worker Compensation Insurance
> Possible OSHA Fines
> Increase in insurance cost
> Long term medical and rehab care
The list is endless on this topic. I am sure that you can list several more that I have not listed.

If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why; when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to correct the problem?

Safety, why do we compel ourselves to worry about this topic? Why do business owners and operators cut the budget of this topic and think in the long run it will save them BIG MONEY?
(Please post a comment about this. I am curious to hear what the readers have to say.)
If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to 


So why are more business owners and operators reducing the spending on SAFETY?

The Bridges DO NEED REBUILT, PROOF IS IN THE PICTURES!

YIKES, the bridges are falling apart!

Yes, its true that we need our roads and bridges to be rebuilt. Have you seen them lately?

Yes it is true our roads and bridges are in disrepair? They are crumbling! I am a commercial motor vehicle operator full time so I see the roads and bridges in a better light then those in DC sitting upon their high throne. They dictate to us as to what we need to spend our money on and what not to spend money on for the federal government. You have heard the rant out of there mouths > TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH, TAX CUT FOR BIG OIL, BIG PHARMA, BIG BUSINESS. 

When in reality these businesses, as well as the CEO's, CFO's, Presidents, Vice Presidents, CIA, FBI, and those hated politicians all travel over these roads. So why do we cut the funding to maintain these important infrastructure. Wait there is NO MONEY for these projects? Each gallon of diesel fuel, and gasoline sold in the USA a road tax is collected. Even Trucking, Limo and Motor Coach companies pay an additional road use tax. Where is the money.

YIKES! This is bridge support structures!

Yup, another bridge support base with exposed rebar!

Here is an overpass over I 75 in Michigan about 20 miles south of Detroit. The picture does not do justice; but the section missing I will estimate about 2 1/2' down from the top and about 7' in length. This whole section broke off and fell on I 75 last fall.

Exposed Bridge Support Rebar Steel. This exposed structural rebar set in concrete  stand about 8' from the ground up to the bottom side of the bridge and about 3' in width.

So do you feel safe now traveling over the bridges in America?

A factual study of American Bridges conducted by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has found that in America there is an estimated 60,0000 +/- bridges that are deemed "Structurally Deficient."

Do you remember the I 35 span in Minneapolis/St. Paul that fell in August of 2007? That bridge was deemed structurally deficient just weeks prior to it falling.

Just this past Friday September 9, 2011 in Richmond, VA the main seat for Eric Cantor (R), House Majority Chair tried to deflect questions from reporters as to in his district there are so many bridges in need of repairs. Per the NTSB; they have found a total of 94 bridges in his district that are deemed "STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT."

I can say that we here in St. Louis are troubled by the amount of construction traffic and back ups. But we are displaced into ORANGE BARREL SEASON here.......the roads and bridges are bring rebuilt! Since 2009 most of the bridges and overpasses are already replaced except for a few that is in the final rebuilding stages. All of the interstates in the area are being repaved or have been repaved. But for other parts of the USA there is construction ongoing to rebuild them. But we need to spend more money on these infrastructures to be rebuilt.

So when you are driving on the interstates do the following > Open your eyes and look real good at the supports, and bridges in the rural parts of America. Do not look in the St. Louis Area, but when you are away from your place of living. You will be surprised at what you find.

Again, I hope you enjoyed my blogs. Please feel free to comment.

Stay Safe!

Roy