Breaking on CNN, crane collapse @ oil refinery in Houston kills 4 people,

[EV_Ares]

some people injured, just happened.

Something is certainly wrong with this many crane accidents.

[Richardo]

1. Lyondell-Basell refinery

I don't have any other details.

[lpbk2713]

2. OSHA might show up in a week or two.

BushCo gutted OSHA like they gutted all other govt agencies that could do some good.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Good point.

But, I am sure the GOP-controlled media will come up with some excuse as to why this is not the GOP's fault.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. OSHA's teeth were pulled YEARS before the shrub appeared.

They've been more or less powerless since the early 80s, at least.

[bluestateguy]

3. This is what happens when regulators don't regulate

and they are more interesting in pampering big business, rather then regulating.

[SoCalDem]

5. Cable "news"..

Construction accidents happen ALL the time.. EVERYWHERE.. but instead of it being a Houston story for a week or so, it's now a national story..24-7..

Back when newspapers were locally (family) owned, and before cable, this type of story was only known to the local folks it affected..

Now that there is a 24-7 cycle, with 3 major competitors, and the internet, everything everywhere is local..everywhere..

We are all suffering from news-glut..

It drives shark phobia
snake phobia
child-predator phobia
food phobia
life-phobia..

[aspergris]

6. thank you

It never ceases to amaze that people who are critical of the MSM still fall prey to it.

[EV_Ares]

10. I think crane collapsing is not just a local story or just another construction accident anymore.

This has been going on now all year and in all parts of the country with several people being killed which is why it is national.

[Blue Diadem]

11. Yes, I agree. The story @ MSN gives more information

Not all states have states regulations and rely on the federal regulations which are not up to date with the new technology. Some states don't require certification for crane operators.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25740449

snip:An Associated Press analysis in June found that cities and states have wildly varying rules governing construction cranes, and some have no regulations at all, choosing instead to rely on federal guidelines dating back nearly 40 years that some experts say haven't kept up with technological advances.

Texas led the nation with 26 crane-related fatalities in 2005 and 2006, according to federal statistics. Cranes in Texas operate without any state or local oversight, leaving that job to federal regulators.

Texas is one of 35 states that do not require crane operators to be licensed. Earlier this year in Dallas, city officials found that eight of 23 cranes being used across the city had uncertified operators at the controls.

OSHA standards require cranes to undergo annual inspections, but it is a self-policing mandate for crane owners. Federal law requires that inspection records be kept, but not submitted.
------------------------------

[SoCalDem]

12. Global crane accident statistics.

http://cranewrecks.com/stats.htm

[spanone]

7. i would speculate that there is a regulatory agency that watchdogs these puppies

and bu$h* has filled it with cronies and gutted it's mandate

am i cynical?

[carlyhippy]

8. well, that will cause gas to rise steeply

any type of disaster seems to raise the gas price a few cents....my prayers with the families and hope the injured get well.

Carly