Watch Your Step Northridge Seniors

7AM Thursday January 10, 2008 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA– Pedestrians could be seen walking along the side walk where a new apartment complex is under construction. Parts of the fence have been removed exposing a hole approximately 4 feet deep. The sidewalk open, no safety cones, handrail, or even caution tape to identify the danger. Electrical wires protrude from the hole from what appears to be damaged electrical conduits and rest on the steel plate where pedestrians walk. Are the wires energized? No one seams to know ........

Some residents have complained that the project is taking too long. Others are concerned about the obvious lack of concern for people walking on the sidewalk. My recommendation is to contact the city as well as OSHA and Watch Your Step.

Where The Hell Is OSHA?

"In my opinion the Broadstone project at 1st Street and Beaudry in downtown Los Angeles is the most dangerous construction project in town." Safety seems to be ignored for the purpose of completing the project before the fall 2007 deadline.

Be careful if you find yourself working on this construction site. Workers regularly throw heavy objects from up high and materials have been seen stacked in the street blocking easy exit. Trucks pull out of the driveway at a high rate of speed without flag persons and temporary cords are strewn throughout the job at shin level. Some balconies do not have handrails at this stage of the job. Also watch for improper use of barricade tape warning of hazards as they may be using "caution tape" where "danger tape" would be more appropriate. If this job gets completed without a major accident it will be close to a miracle in my opinion.

Just because OSHA has been rendered impotent by the Bush Administration doesn't mean you shouldn't register a complaint. It's still a good idea to document safety violations by filling out an OSHA Complaint Form. At some point even OSHA will have to pay the contractor a visit. Let's hope OSHA visits this jobsite before a major accident occurs. Please take a moment to watch this short video.