Almost lost a contract because I ignored a safety checklist

Was working a commercial job in Phoenix last summer. AC unit on a flat roof, third story. Foreman said skip the harness, it'll take too long. I listened. Slipped on some loose gravel near the edge. Barely caught myself. Now I write safety into every quote upfront. Client tried to push back on the cost but I held firm. Anyone else get pressured to cut corners for speed?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_thea1mo agoMost Upvoted

Read an article about how most construction accidents happen because someone skipped a basic safety step just this once. That loose gravel could have been a whole different story if you hadn't caught yourself. Good on you for making safety part of the price from now on.

murray.jana1mo ago

My uncle lost two fingers on a framing job skipping the guard on a saw once.

wade8711mo ago

Man, that's rough. I had a buddy who did the same thing on a job in Tucson... ended up breaking his ankle when he slid off a wet tile roof. He couldn't work for months, lost way more than the time he saved.