Terrifying images of a construction worker dangling from a crane at a building site in Toronto have shocked thousands of viewers online after the video went viral.
In the footage, a man is seen hanging onto a tag line under a huge block of construction materials that's being slowly lowered. A witness off camera says: "Oh my god. How the f*** did this happen?"
The video has attracted more than 3 million views on TikTok and thousands of views on Instagram, and it later garnered thousands of responses when it was shared on Reddit.
Phillip Ferreira of S1, a group of former MOL officers and safety professionals that advocate for workers rights and health and safety, shared the video on Instagram. He told Newsweek: "The video was sent to us by an anonymous worker from the project. We frequently receive and post videos to our Instagram channel that workers send to us regarding unsafe and or hazardous conditions on jobsites here in Ontario and throughout Canada."
In construction, tag lines are used to help steady heavy loads as they ascend into the air, preventing spinning and damage while materials are being moved from one place to another.
CBC News reported that the worker in the video is employed by Modern Niagara as a rigger, responsible for ensuring loads of materials are securely fastened before being hoisted by crane operators.
The construction company in charge of the project, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., told Newsweek: "We can confirm that an incident took place at our site located at Front and Simcoe Tuesday involving a rigger who got entangled with a tagline after hooking a load. Fortunately he was safely lowered to the work surface and not seriously injured."
Internet users were left in awe of the images: "How does this happen?" said one commenter: "I've been in construction for 12 years and can't figure out how he ended up there."
"Scary moment, yikes!" wrote another commenter on Instagram.
"This is absolutely terrifying," said another viewer of the video on Reddit. One commenter wrote: "I'm wondering if the fact that he was tied there was actually what saved his life. I would not have the upper body strength to hold on for that long. Thank goodness he's ok!"
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported that one in 10 construction site workers are injured every year in the U.S., with fall hazards being the leading cause of injury on construction sites.
In 2019, 5,333 workers died on the job, with around 20 percent of those worker fatalities being in the construction industry.
Since the incident, Ontario's Ministry of Labor, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has sent an investigator to the site, CBC reported.
"My feet got all tingly just watching this," said one viewer after watching the 54 seconds of footage.
"I would need new pants if something like this happened to me," said another reply. One viewer wrote: "Tag lines... Never wrap them around your wrist or hand! This is why. No knots, twists, or horse tails. Roll 'em up and keep them dry and clean."
"The safety of all workers and the community is our top priority," said a spokesperson for PCL Constructors Canada Inc.: "We are working with all appropriate authorities and the incident is currently under investigation."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
