Hmmm, good point. If there are 20 workers at union rate of say $40.00 per hour and stoppage is 8 hours = only $6,400.00. That's payable.
The LiUNA rate for trades can vary a bit.
LiUNA being the largest construction union in Toronto at about 50,000 members strong. ("Feel the Power" (their stupid slogan, not mine)). But it's more than $40.00 / hour. $40 an hour would be their base salary (depending on agreement I grant you.). Add in $8.40 per hour for pension, 4 and change per hour for vacation pay, another 4 to 5 for benefits and so on and so forth and you're up to about $70 ish per hour. Then add in the cost of their gear, the cost of giving them a truck to get to the site, you name it, they are entitled to it, the cost for the company's overhead, profit, etc. Trust me, you're at $90 to $100.00 per hour easily. Depending on the site, it's usually a 10 hour day as well.
The cost to the company (which is called their "burden") for a member of LIUNA is about $75 an hour. They are mostly basic labourers. Skilled trades, such as electricians or crane operators make more than that, so the cost to the company is also higher. Management costs will vary. Without knowing which trades are on site, who is mobilizing for the day and who is there full time it is impossible to calculate the loss for the day.
You'd have to show that's her fault and not overzealousness on the part of the Minister.
You truly make me laugh sometimes.
I agree with James here. Everything is 100% her fault. The MOL, not the "Minister" will perform or have performed a complete and thorough investigation as should be expected. The last thing they want is an accident as a result of tampering with the equipment. Also they will be wanting to know why the site was not sufficiently secured to prevent access.
In 1988, someone entered the Scotia Tower's site overnight and parachuted from the 63rd floor to the parking lot across the street. Security was beefed up but if someone is determined, there is only so much you can do. A few years ago a university student was found on a site by security, he was wearing full construction gear, was just curious about construction sites. He had determined how to solve the punch codes on the doors and just walked right in! He was arrested for trespassing.
Occasionally in high winds, the tower crane is not locked in position as the strength of the wind may cause damage to the braking mechanism. This is why you will sometimes see cranes spinning on top of tall buildings like a weather vane. The luffing crane on the other hand can have its jib raised so that it is not at 90 degrees to the tower and less affected by the wind.
The cranes have a capacity of tens of thousands of pounds, so leaving a block in mid air which is standard practice is virtually nothing in comparison.
Her statement about wanting to take photos and then slipping seems a bit strange... you would have to step off of the crane assembly to grab the cable with both hands and you won't be taking many photos like that! As others have pointed out, regardless if there was a little or a lot of lubrication on the wire rope, the distance she travelled from the tip of the crane to the block is quite substantial. I don't know how she could have held on, slowing down the force her body weight with her hands should have given her rope burn and there also seems to be a regulator on the wire rope above her head, although she might have switched positions once she got to the block.
