Jerry B

Did anybody hear about Josh Phrophett(Scott's 20 year old son)? the same thing happend to him about 3 weeks ago. the log truck operator set an outrigger right on his foot. i don't think that he lost any toes, but he will be out of work for another 4 months(i think).
 
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I think I'll continue to wear my steel toe caps as they have saved my toes on numerous occasions from being crushed whilst lifting heavy logs.

And if ever in the unlikely event there was something heavy enough to crush my steel toe caps then there's not gonna be much left of my toes anyway, if it's heavy enough to crush steel, what's it gonna do to my toes?

http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_42_steel_toe_amputatio.html



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Good myth busting Grover, this was widely believed among steelworkers.
-moss
 
I started wearing steel toe capped boots as soon as I started treework, but I remember about 5 years ago I went through a phase of using hiking boots for climbing/working after I heard of the amputation myth. Also, many of my co workers climbed in hiking boots.

The hiking boots were easier to climb in, steel toes have a habit of getting jammed in tight forks. The hiking boots were cooler to wear in the hot summer months and lighter than the steelies.

At the end of that summer we were hand loading heavy oak logs onto a trailer, the guy I was lifting a large log with lost his grip and let go of his end of the log, the log hit the ground, and jarred, twisting out of my hands dropping onto to my left foot and breaking the 2 smallest toes, and causing massive bruising to the whole foot. I wasn't angry at him, I was angry at myself for wearing hiking boots.

I always wear my steel toe caps/chainsaw resistant boots now.

There is also the issue of insurance claims, steel toed boots are Personal Protective Equipment, and if you were wearing them it shows that you applied the relevant duty of care to yourself and your employees.
 
Followed the link to mythbuster and watched the bottle rocket video. it was funny and I got a good laugh out of it.

I'm not surprised at the out come of the steel toe boot test either. the variables are many. The outrigger pad that got me was coming down on pavement, had it been gravel or earth the outcome would have been much differnt. The truck itself was loaded with logs and when the operator went to level the truck the rigger pad that was on my foot gave me the double wammy.

First I heard about Scott's son. I'm sure he could relate to this thread.

Back in the early 70's one of the high ranger's we used had the outrigger controls right over the rightside out rigger. Nearly every crew member that work on that truck set the pad on their on foot at one time. Least in that case you could immediately reverse the control lever and no one suffered any injuries from it. Bad design there.

Forever on when I'm around such a machine again I will cringe at the sound of the pto engauging, engine revving and pads contacting the ground. Talk about PTSD. I'm imprinted with the memory forever.

Jerry B
 
Maybe all bucket/logloader/crane trucks with outriggers/stabilisers should be equipped with a loud siren and flashing lights which go off when the outriggers are coming down and going up.

The flashing lights could be positioned directly beside the outriggers and the siren would be clearly audible over the noise of the engine revving.

Your accident sounds terrible Gerald, maybe the addition of lights and a siren to these types of trucks would help other people avoid suffering as you are at the moment?
 
Two years ago a paving contractor and California Tranportation official were run over and killed by a end dump truck loaded with asphalt backing toward the paver. Even with the back up lights flashing and loud beeper they still didn't see or hear it coming. How could that happen?

On some work sites, like that one, a number of trucks with beepers and flashing lights will work simotaineously side by side coming and going. The truck driver could see on either side of the truck, but not directly behind it.

It was believed the two victims of that accident were too caught up in a discussion about the job and failed to look around at what was coming at them.

In my case I failed to pay attention at what was coming down while undoing the chain binders. The sound of the PTO enguaging should have given me the clue because the next step, as most of us know, is to set the out riggers of the truck. My fault as much as the operator for not checking if all was clear.

Accidents do happen. In either scenario the victims failed to pay attention. I was lucky.

Jerry B
 
wow, sorry to hear about this!

So you didn't lose your big toe. That's what's important for balance right? That's good.

And you've got a good wife at home now to take care of ya... That's good.

Guess you'll have more time to visit Tree Buzz for a while, since your stuck at home.

Very sorry to hear about your missing toes.

Did you ask to keep them? You could have used them for bait and gone fishing with them.
grin.gif
....just trying to stay positive thinking.
 
Use them for bait? That's a good one Dave. I'll send you one and you can throw it in the pond.

I'll bet things are greening up real nice there. Warm air, trees and flowers blooming. Spring is happening here, but I'm stuck in bed or the recliner chair

Send me your address again, would you please?

Jerry B
 
Feel better soon jerr. I've been thinking about your accident every single time I've put down the riggers...when a guy with your experience and safety awareness gets hurt it really makes everybody think twice.

Jerry, do you plan to write any more books??
 
Yeah, I'm thinking about some other titles, but right now I've some unfinished work to do on some video projects. But I can't set for more than a few minutes at the editing table. My foot swells up and I loose concentration. Hopefully I'll get over that soon.

Jerry B
 
Are you people kidding?! This is Jerry Beranek for cripes sake!!!! A few toes gone don't bother this guy! Have you ever seen the rest of his toes?! NO!!! That's because they probably don't exist! How on earth could anybody thats been around this long (no secondary insult intended Jerry) and done as much dangerous living (from Vietnam to northern Cal.) have ANYTHING left?!

Oh he'll be back alright, he's probably preparing for Dance with the Stars as we speak. Kick it Jerry! Kick it for the homeys!
 
That sucks Jerry! It just goes to show that within our business it only takes a split second of complainceny to get ya hurt or killed! It happens to the best of us...

Now here is a question for you. With your noteriatiy and profile within the industry, would your accident serve as a motivater to procuce an educational video in regards to job-site safety? I know I would buy such a product for the guys!
 
Thanks for the laugh, Tobe! Truth of the matter is we're all flesh and bone, and can so easily be injured by the things around us everyday.

Yeah, TreeGuy, a split second of complainceny is all it takes. I've had the notion to produce educational works for some time. The Fundamentals and High Climbers are a couple. Never too late to add some words of wisdom in any thing be it a book, CD or Video. Charly Pottorff asked me today, "Why were you in the way of that out rigger, Jer?" that's a good question and I haven't a good answer for it. Just had my mind on getting those load binders unhooked and put away. Had I heard a warning other than the engine running I don't believe I would be here sitting in bed right now writting this.

Jerry B
 
I believe the everyday audible warnings become so repetitious that we eventually subconsciously lock them out.
Ever get accused of not listening to your wife?
smirk.gif
 
At one of the ANSI Z133 meetings there was a suggestion that a line be added to include a visual of any outrigger being lowered. The motion lost ground and was not taken any further. Too bad...

I know...sometimes things can get over regulated but...if this was an SOP...well, we know 'what if...'

During this re-write of the Z this issue will have new life, count on it.
 
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