HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > United States > Texas & Southcentral > Austin


    TWELVE Domain in the SkyscraperPage Database

Building Data Page   • Austin Skyscraper Diagram

Map Location

Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #1  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2009, 2:28 AM
KevinFromTexas's Avatar
KevinFromTexas KevinFromTexas is offline
Meh
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: there and back again
Posts: 57,324
Report: Austin construction workers face dangers, low pay

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...struction.html

Quote:
WORKER SAFETY
Report: Austin construction workers face dangers, low pay
Industry officials dispute findings, say safety is critical

By By Juan Castillo

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Though it robustly feeds the city's growth and economy — generating an estimated $3.5 billion-plus annually in wages alone — Austin's commercial and residential construction industry frequently puts workers' safety, health and financial well-being at risk, according to a study released today by a workers advocacy group.

Combining results from surveys with more than 300 Austin construction workers and industry-related data from federal and state agencies, the 68-page study, "Building Austin, Building Injustice," depicts an industry rampant with poor and dangerous working conditions. While it says that many builders, developers and contractors are model employers, others cut costs by not paying some workers for overtime, not paying some at all, misclassifying others as independent contractors, and by failing to provide proper safety equipment such as harnesses and helmets, violations of federal and state regulations.

In doing so, they shift the toll onto the public when low-wage workers have to depend heavily on government support, hospitals and charities for medical care and to make ends meet, the report said.
__________________
Donate to Donald Trump's campaign today!

Thou shall not indict
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2009, 3:09 AM
verybadgnome verybadgnome is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Holly neighborhood, Austin
Posts: 210
..........and from a related article:

"Officials at the Honduran Consulate in Houston said they were not aware of the incident.

Two of the three workers fell 11 to 13 stories to the ground. The third fell a shorter distance onto the roof of a seven-story parking garage. It was not clear Friday who had employed the men who died."

I'm sure the Honduran Consulate is blissfully unaware b/c they don't want this to become an issue since most likely the dead Honduran did not have a work visa or green card.

So how is it that it is not readily known who employed these workers? Is it b/c they don't want to face scrutiny because of their hiring practices?

I'm sorry that this kind of thing happened but it does have the one positive side effect of shining a light on an industry that trys to sweep the dirt under the carpet whilst spotlighting bright, shiny new condos and 4000 sq. ft. homes.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #3  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2009, 5:43 AM
TXAlex's Avatar
TXAlex TXAlex is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 341
Quote:
Originally Posted by verybadgnome View Post
I'm sorry that this kind of thing happened but it does have the one positive side effect of shining a light on an industry that trys to sweep the dirt under the carpet whilst spotlighting bright, shiny new condos and 4000 sq. ft. homes.
How often do people fall 11-13 stories off a 4k sqft home?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #4  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2009, 1:22 PM
verybadgnome verybadgnome is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Holly neighborhood, Austin
Posts: 210
First of all that is not the point but rather that there are many ways to die in the construction industry since it is a dangerous occupation. And yes you can die falling from a 2nd floor single family home though the probability is less.

On a side note I love this quote:

"I know of no one, certainly no one active in our association, who speaks out in favor of violating state and federal construction laws," said Harry Savio, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin.

Of course they don't speak out about it they just cut corners while trying to avoid scrutiny from regulators, the public, and family members of workers.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2009, 7:11 PM
KevinFromTexas's Avatar
KevinFromTexas KevinFromTexas is offline
Meh
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: there and back again
Posts: 57,324
Quote:
Originally Posted by verybadgnome View Post
First of all that is not the point but rather that there are many ways to die in the construction industry since it is a dangerous occupation.
Oh yes. I did some work in Florida helping clean up after Hurricane Ivan. One construction worker died there when he was shot with a nail gun. Also the place was a safety nightmare with angry rattlesnakes roaming the area and downed live power lines all over the place.
__________________
Donate to Donald Trump's campaign today!

Thou shall not indict
Reply With Quote
     
     
End
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > United States > Texas & Southcentral > Austin
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 3:08 PM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.