MTA track worker James Knell was moving bulky container when he fell to his death

[Harry]

James Knell was moving a bulky container with at least 90 pounds of spikes when he fell to the third rail, an internal NYC Transit report reveals.

 

The clunky design of the container, and the formidable weight of the load, are among a series of 11 safety concerns raised in the preliminary report on the track workers' tragic death on April 26.

 

"These are all issues that could very well be presented to a jury as to liability or fault for the wrongful death" of Knell, said lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, who is representing Knell's widow, Jackie.

 

The Office of System Safety Report doesn't place blame or fault. It does identify actions the agency should take to make work sites safe - including providing workers with spike containers with handles so they can be moved more easily and safely and limiting the weight to 51 pounds.

 

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/21/2010-06-21_report_cites_heavy_clunky_load.html#ixzz0rVGU9tur

[SpikeMauler]

They're right, kegs of spikes are heavy and bulky and difficult to carry. That keg of spikes is still out there on the concrete walk along the roadbed next to a crucifix we hung on a fence post.

 

BTW I'm the first trackman you see in this picture with the rain jacket and blue helmet...

[metsfan]

Seems like transportation workers always get the fuzzy end of the stick when it comes to safety. Everything's A-OK, as long as the passengers don't file too many complaints, because everyone knows the people that ride are a valuable comodity, while the lowly workers are just there to keep stuff from crumbling apart long enough to get to the next political campaign... :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

 

 

I am so tired of transportation workers being put last by idiotic bean counters. :mad: :tdown:

 

Not sure if anyone not a track worker on this forum has ever held a railroad spike, but they are solid unforgiving steel, i can't imagine having to tote 90 lbs of such near live traction power!

 

- A