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John Munson / The Star-Ledger
Painting supervisor Kevin McSweeney walks out onto one of the cables on the George Washington Bridge to inspect the painting operations in Fort Lee, NJ, on July 10.
John Munson / The Star-Ledger
Obed Gonzalez paints one of the large cables on the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, NJ, on July 10.
It was as he was selecting his harness that New Jersey Star-Ledger photographer John Munson realized that he, too, would be joining the George Washington Bridge painters high above rush-hour traffic on the cables suspending the bridge over the Hudson River. As he and reporter Steve Strunsky headed to the span's midpoint, Munson focused on shooting the Port Authority workers and tuning out the vibrations from morning commuters heading into New York City below them.
For the painters, it is just another day at the office. They work on maintaining the bridge year-round, completing a full paint job in approximately 18 months. The Star-Ledger's Steve Strunsky reports:
Kevin McSweeney stood 330 feet above the Hudson River on one of four 36-inch diameter cables strung between the twin towers of the George Washington Bridge.
Manhattan-bound cars and trucks whooshed 100 feet below him as his crew of five bridge painters worked on a narrow platform. Clipped to safety wires, they used rollers to coat the cables with an aluminum-based protective layer.
It was 9 a.m. and already hot under a blazing July sun. But the small gang of adrenaline junkies applied the silvery coating with amazing speed and coordination, seemingly oblivious to the dizzying height.
Related links:
- Star-Ledger gallery: Painting the George Washington Bridge
- PhotoBlog: Exploring the offbeat of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Slideshow: The Golden Gate Bridge's 75-year history
John Munson / The Star-Ledger
Keith Schmitt paints the top of the south cable on the George Washington Bridge. Fort Lee, NJ, on July 10.
Leave a Comment:
Nothing to see here. Just a bunch of overfed, over paid, union thugs on the taxpayer's dime. Just hire a bunch of illegals and pay them pennies on the dollar. It would make the liberals love ya even more. Another big news story from msnnbc's elite jounalist.
Or just let the bridge rust and fall down, Richie Rich Romneyites don't need no stinking bridges, with their private planes and heliocopters
Rock me your a blow hard. Union Iron Workers built it. Union Painters maintain it. If you don't like it. Swim across the water under it, on your way to your Walmart job. P.S. I am a UNION RAIL ROAD worker.
I have a lot of respect for anyone who can work that high up, and do it with such ease and calm.
Good job guys keep up the good work, and don't look down.
LOL
with a name like Juan you are most likely an illegal that rides the rails...
Actually (Happy42xxx), I was a Union Iron Worker local #387 until just after 9/11/01. No work after that so I hired into a Class 1 Rail Road as a Carman, in the Mechanical Department. With a name like yours you must be a Gay porn Star?
Yeah, crap load of money probably. Now the guys that walk the the steel I-beams at mega-story skyscrapers with no harnesses (mostly native Americans) they deserve a mega-wage! That includes the tower crane operators too! If the loaders get the weight wrong or the construction of the crane is wrong, that crane is going over!
Rockme1967 - I'm not a Union fan even tho I've been a Member of two Unions, but, I would rather see Union Workers getting the money over Illegals. You're a tool for even thinking what you posted.
I started out as a Teamster when I was in my mis 20's then left, in good standings, to become a Operating Engineer for the 49ers in Minneapolis. I paved Roads and Parking Lots for 10 years until the Economy crashed. I am still in good standings and would go back if I needed too. I'm a Transportation Supervisor for a Food Distributor in Chicago and I enjoy the new challenge.
zomg, with a name like Obed Gonzalez these workers are probably already Illegals! They have infiltrated the port authority, zomg, sirens! sirens!
Rock me....this is me punching you in the face. Do ya feel it? Overpaid? Whatever you do for a living...feeling sorry for your co-workers to deal with your ignorance.
I am surprised that the newest bridges don't have de-rusting and re-coating apparatus built in during construction.
As much as it must cost to put people up there with materials, an automatic system would pay off.
Really! This story is about painting a big bridge? Thats all? Oooohhhhh I get it now, this is the medias spin on the good use of our tax dollars. They should have not shown the picture of enrique painting though because it just shows that illegal Mexicans are taking those high paying jobs too.
I know, I Know, I know those of you liberals would call me a racist because I dont know if that guy in the second picture is illegal or not and I'm just judging him by the color of his skin. Well, this is what Mexican Americans get for politically and community sanctioning the illegal invasion into the American job work force of all races who are bonafied citizens. I've heard at least a dozen times from misguieded Mex American citizens ( Chicanos ) proclaiming that white people are going down and it's their turn to run this country and Mexicans are taking over, So watch out gringos. Well now the chickens have come home to roost and Mexican American citizens are findin it hard to find jobs now too, because "real Mexicans" have taken those jobs. Real intellegent Chicanos!
The Brothers should be outraged too that their first black president is sanctioning giving those high paying jobs to illegals too and not helping the black community.
You're illegal!
as an ex commercial/residential professional painting and decorating contractor with over 25 years experience, these pictures show why i am no longer in business. these scab painters couldn't paint their way out of a box. the wetbacks as far back as the 1970's started to migrate and come and watch us paint. not realizing they were "spying" and working for a fifth of what we were charging. of course over the decades they have infiltrated and basically have taken over. they are very highly trained now but still hire illegals for the grunt work. it all comes down to the almighty dollar. nothing asssociated with painting today is frugal considering the outrageous prices of materials.
Just wondering if the guy in the second pic (leaning back with the bandana on ) realizes he was just photographed on a union job 330 ft up without his fall arresting safety harness on ...way to go bro ....you may just cause a hefty OSHA fine for all invovled not to mention trouble for your boss . Unless Jersey still doesn't care about worker safety that is ....
I can see the clip on his left hip. You blind, or just a hater?
Well , since it looks like he has a clip on the side still in violation as it is not as i stated a full arresting safety harness if he fell with a belt and some looped rope it could snap his back or slide right off . thats why they use the full suspender type ...but its ok i'm just hating
maybe you didn't notice the wire on his right side!!!
I'm seeing the clips plus his shirt to gathering unnaturally over his shoulder and around his midsection.
It just really rankles you guys that unions built this country and are still, in the majority of situations, all the protection labor has against greedy corporate thugs. You know, the ones who really don't give a rip about worker safety.
LOL, I can see that no one but armed and waiting has ever undergone OSHA fall protection training or even worn any type of fall protection. Even the supervisor may not be properly protected as I can't distinquish any leg straps.
Union or non union makes no difference when it comes to safety, like the guy in the bandana and paint roller said "I am an adrenaline junky".
BTW - OSHA can issue fines just based on photographs taken even when not on site.
agnomad...
a lot of good that will do him in a fall. There is a reason why OSHA requires a full body harness and if I recall only one for not having a full body harness.
Agnomad - I will corect myself, a body belt is no longer an allowable means as a fall arrest.
http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/subpartm.html
Now, maybe or maybe not his little basket is OSHA compliant to prevent his falling.
There are exceptions in the OSHA rules/laws. Obviously your not a construction worker. First off what most consider as safety equipment causes more danger as it is just another object in the workers way. You can fall off your chair and hurt your back in the office but are you required to wear a safety harness?? NO!! Why not??
OSHA requires full body fall restraint (100% 'tie-off) for heights above 6' with few exceptions. Said harness requires shoulder straps, leg straps , a chest strap and TWO shock absorbing lanyards (or a yo-yo) which MUST be attached to the 'D-ring' which is located between the shoulder blades. At least one of the lanyards must be attached at all times to an anchor with at least 6000 lbs. of shear strength. The only worker who appears to be in compliance with these standards is Obed Gonzales. The rest of the crew, including the supervisor (whose harness seems to have no leg straps and whose lanyards are connected at the waist) would appear to be in violation. As there is no real danger from falling objects from overhead, hard hats would not be required, and could actually pose a danger to the traffic below should they fall off, which they do on occasion.
If anyone on my crews were found to be in violation of these standards they would be at the very least 'written up'. At these heights they would be terminated. The leading cause of death in the construction industry is falls.
Sid...
Lmao! Then that individual doesn't know what they are doing, union or not. The only exceptions concerning fall protection is having an adequately guarded work platform ie scaffolding, and I don't see one in any of the pics.
BTW - With over 15 yrs commercial and industrial construction hands on experience much of it at height, only a pussy will whine and cry about the so called "inconvenience" of safety equipment. Once worked on a job where an iron worker always refused to wear fall protection. Guess what, he died from a fall in cedar rapids within 8 months.
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Frenaz - worked with a company that did contract work with cargill, ADM,and tate&lyle. They all had zero tolerance for safety violations. Violators were walked off the job within the hour for fall protection violations. Warnings were issued for other minor safety violations. If the contractor didn't conform they lost the contract and were removed from the facility. The company I worked for lost the right to work at cargill - eddyville for about 5 years.
Makes me nauseous just looking at that height they work at.
no way, that look so fun.. i would do this job in a heartbeat and im a 26yr old girl..lol
These men are true American hero's. Working hard to provide for their families.
They haven't done my bridge--maby because it's on a troll road?
I'm sure that owners of your troll (sic?) road know and understand full and well all safety regulations and are determined to provide the safest possible road to you (as long as they still make a profit that is). :)
Somehow I don't think that crossing the GW is free.
I give them a thumbs up being that high up....I would crap my pants I do believe. Just some good ole boys making a dollar for their families. Go USA.
I'd take that job in a minute..
Thanks, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person out there that loves heights. I saw a segment on bridge inspectors and it showed them dangling all over bridges hundreds of feet above the water/pavement/etc. and I was so jealous that they got paid to do that.
I found an older movie at my local indy movie rental place (hey, I live in WA), it's called "Among Giants"...an English movie about an odd group of painters of those electrical towers, for all those climbers like myself, you might enjoy it.
Happy climbing to all!
Two of my uncles were Ironworkers. They had jobs on buildings, bridges and dams. That was back when somebody with a portable furnace would heat rivets, then toss them up in another guy's small bucket so they could be pounded in with a pneumatic hammer. Heights, heat, wind, and red hot metal flying around--not a job I could do. I'm glad somebody does it, and these painters are almost in the same league. Best to them. Americans who are actually doing something--too few of those around, for too many reasons.
Many people would love to have a job like this. Unfortunately the union thugs are good at keeping these positions limited to a few greedy individuals.
Would that be the workers with the qualifications and the seniority?
At least we are maintaining some of our infrastructure. Hats off to you guys.
@rockme1967 - Wow what a douche. Get your loser ass out there and paint those lines you lazy bum. I hope you find yourself one day out of a job being replaced by an illegal immigrant; cause they have just as much of a right to live here as you.
I hope those guys get paid very well for what they do. It would take nerves of steel to do that kind of work.
SouthBayJohn
Seriously? You actually think that illegal immigrants have as much 'right' to live and work here as a citizen?
It seems you are not aware that federal immigration law states that they have no right to be here, and it specifically prohibits them from seeking or acquiring work. What part of illegal do you not understand?
I'm not an expert, but shouldn't the harnesses also strap around the crotch similar to a safety harness on a high reach order picker?
They sure should, otherwise after a fall all you would see is an empty harness and a splat on the ground.
It seems they would come with a paint that would last longer so they don't repaint it every 18 months and maybe could work on other bridges.
Hey there are other workers, like here on the West Coast that maintain our bridges also. Why do the NJ painters get the glory? The Golden Gate is just as tall if not taller as well the the Narrows Bridges in Washington and not to mention the Astoria Bridge in Oregon also very high.
In answer to the question on why every 18 months they paint again... it takes approximately 18 months to complete the paint job and then it's back to the beginning to start all over again. Harsh weather knows no limits to weathering paint.
Google says that the Golden Gate is seven feet taller. But who cares about you homosexual Mexican-lovers in California anyways, right? :)
This has got to be a Union Job. The Painters are using brushes. If this was not a Union Job then the painters would be using automated Spray Painters. 100 times more efficient. 100 times less costly. But, hey. Its tax payers money. Coffee break.
You're right.. why are they using paint brushes on that Damn thing? By all appearances, they probably should be done within a few years, and much closer to retiring at 45.
Perhaps you would tell us all about the chemical composition and physical properties of that paint since you guys are the experts.
Explain precisely why your method would be superior.
obviously jkatze if you knew you would have supplied a more reasonable answer.
You know, like aluminum paint is a high viscosity paint and even if a sprayer was used how much paint could be efficiently applied without a high incidence of loss or EPA concerns due to weather conditions or the sprayers ability to adequately spray into crevices
The George Washington Bridge is among the most frequently chosen sites in the area for committing suicide.
And unions SUCK! There are why cars cost so much. Probably why tolls on this bridge are as high as $12. Have to pay for the inefficient union work.
GREG GAGNON what is your problem are you sick are you underemployed the dribble that you spill is really hilarious, to think that there are actually people in America that are as miserable and under-educated as you. BTW cars costs as much as they do not because of high union wages , but rather that you the consumer will pay what they want for a car, non union shops vs union shops >>>> the price base is the same, its been proven over and over again.
They seriously need to come up with a long term solution to this.
For what? Bridges?
Yo, Greg, who takes home more pay and perks, the guy actually doing the work or the connected management thug who wouldn't last a day in job requiring work?
No Hard Hats! Each photo of NO Hard hat is a OSHA Fine. LOL I wonder if they have steel toe boots? I see they were painting so I wonder about any mask that they need?
I wonder if they are trained in tower rescue since they are at that height? I am sure they are in multible violations. LOL Nice
OSHA only requires hard hats if there is an overhead danger. Based on the pictures the only overhead danger is bird shlt or falling aircraft.
Individual companies can however require hard hats 100% of the time.
Jimmyfox Would you drive your car on the bridge while it was being spray painted did you ever hear of over spray.every vehicle passing over the bridge would get a fine misty new paint job,did that every occur to you I didn't think so because you can't fix stupid.
Just what makes this news? Yes, bridges have paint crews, so what? Give me real news so I know what is happening in the world and around the country. I don't need or want fluff to distract me from what is important in the world.
such very nice posters this morning, I wonder who pissed in your corn flakes, 1 thing I found a bit strange was it stated that they worked on the bridge all year long and it takes 18 months to paint the bridge !
Can Americans work without people plotting their demise? These people just happen to be a few of the SOBs, who are actually American, lucky enough to secure a lasting, good paying job, in America. Must be nice.
This has become the new American Dream. Just finding a decent job, and not landing on unemployment or disability because of the recklessness and disregard of others...that is the new American Dream.
Big ? is OSHA going to fine this painting contractor for not being safe and requiring his men to be safe like this schmitt guy for not having on a safety harness and most of them no hardhats. Whats going on did the president of the united states let his union buddies get away with this.