John Paton, Forth Rail Bridge foreman, 1940s

Category

Library Item

Item no

34224

Title

John Paton, Forth Rail Bridge foreman, 1940s

Description

A black and white photograph of John Paton, foreman of the Forth Rail Bridge maintenance works, precariously perched on a steel girder of the bridge's cantilevers. Detail of the bridge structure is seen.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1945

Type

Photograph

Since its completion in 1890 the Forth Rail Bridge has needed constant maintenance to ensure its structural stability, and regular repainting and cleaning. Worn rivets are replaced and bolts checked and tightened. 7000 gallons of red oxide paint are needed to paint the bridge from end to end and this has been done in a four to six year cycle.

A number of maintenance workers have fallen to their deaths from the bridge. Before modern safety legislation and equipment, painters used to shin up the exposed cantilevers, as in this photograph, with no harness or rope. Today, a range of safety equipment including ropes, hydraulic lifts, hoists and gantries are used to ensure the worker's safety.

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Related subjects

People > Industry > Construction workers

Places > Edinburgh areas > South Queensferry

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Forth Rail Bridge

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Bridges

Transport > Infrastructure > Railway bridges