Story by Nathaniel LangleyROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A man in bright orange wears safety goggles as he saws a metal pipe in the upcoming downtown Rockford Public Library (RPL).
“There’s not a day that goes by that you think something could go wrong at any time,” says Anthony Scandroli, vice president of Scandroli Construction. “But like I say, communication, preparedness; we talk about it, we implement it.”
Scandroli Construction heads the $40 million RPL project – approaching its completion. Yet, Monday’s Hennig collapse weighs on the vice president.
Three injuries resulted from the site collapsing and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA is investigating. Additionally, the federal agency requires 30 hours of training programs on construction safety.
“We start our day and end our day the same. That everybody you know comes from home and gets to go home to their loved ones,” says Scandroli. The vice president emphasizes his focus on protection: “Doesn’t matter if it takes an hour to go out of the way to make something safe for an hour-long job, we’ll do it.”
Representatives from trades unions also stress safety. Those like IUOE Local 150 share the “OSHA Four” risks: falls, caught-in or -betweens, struck-bys and electrocutions. As Scandroli mentions, communication becomes a safety tool for crews.
Practices like “toolbox talks” pause construction but begin dialogues on staying protected.
“Sometimes guys get tired of hearing about fall protection,” says Glenn Minyard – Local 150′s safety coordinator. “But fall protection is probably the highest injury rate that we have.”
Climate change also jeopardizes sites. Monday and Tuesday’s storms carried damaging winds across the area. Those in construction, who call the outdoors their office, notice shifting weather.
“We’ve had more where you have to actually put into action the plan,” says Minyard on increasingly implemented weather responses. “We get the tornadoes in the area.”
Scandroli blames unpredictable weather for impromptu safety plans as well: “Sometimes you have a little bit of time to prepare for that. If something’s coming, you can make sure things are tightened down and boarded up.”
Nevertheless, camaraderie also becomes a tool for staying safe on busy sites.
“Listen to the guys that are trying to tell you something,” says Scandroli. “Nobody’s out here trying to get anybody hurt.”
Scandroli crews continue finishing the 68,000 sq. ft. RPL project with an expected finish by May 29.
