Summary
A newsreel story profiling painting and maintenance workers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1950s, an era with little regard for health and safety when working at height. The newsreel shows specular footage of workers climbing the bridge, strolling upon the bridges’ girders and working in a relaxed and carefree manner, all without ropes, safety harnesses or barriers to prevent a fall to certain death. The job of painting the bridge is said to take five years and 7000 gallons of paint. The film is a reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of occupational health and safety in the workplace.
Special Notes/Achievements
Produced by the Department of the Interior and an Australian National Film Board Production.
Author: J Bird, 2023