Safety Is Never Out Of Fashion: In Memoriam Requiescat In Pace: Christian Klorczyk Fourth Anniversary

My apologies:  I am one day late on this anniversary, but I hope that it is never too late to honor our departed compatriots, and to talk about safety.  

This is a repost.  Read it and weep.

UPDATE:  Christian's Dad, Frederick, has posted a pic* (below) of what he now uses to support his cars.  Worth looking at.

Safety Is Never Out Of Fashion: In Memoriam Requiescat In Pace: Christian Klorczyk  Fourth Anniversary

This is a great, fun hobby.  But we should never lose sight of the fact that it can be dangerous, and actually lethal.  Please take a moment to read the very sad local story that happened this weekend nearby.

Safety first:  always, always use redundant safety systems when working under a car.  Please.

NEVER trust a jack.  Chock the wheels.  Use several sturdy jack stands under safe, strong jack points. Watch for weak, rusted areas.  I like to throw a spare tire/rim under an upraised wheel... just to give me that little extra margin of safety, should all else fail.  It happens.

The article below was on the front page of the local paper today.  He was changing the oil on his BMW.  21 years old.  I don't care how strong you are, very few of us can bench press a car off of your chest.  I know I can't.  And I don't ever want that opportunity to prove I can't.

Waterford man died doing what he loved most

Stay safe.

March 11, 2012:

In Memoriam: Christian Klorczyk, March 11, 2011

Safety is never out of fashion.

It was one year ago today that a tragic accident took the life of a local young BMW enthusiast, who was changing his oil.  We can't do anything to change that sad fact, but we can honor his memory by re-publishing the following posts, in the hope that telling his story may save the life of someone else.

The first post is from Christian's Dad, Frederick, who came upon my earlier initial post about his son. Frederick has been working hard, despite his personal tragedy, to get the safety message out to all:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/03/time-out-public-service-safety-message_23.html

Thank you, Frederick, and please accept our sincere condolences to you and your family.

This was my original post when I first learned of the tragic event:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/03/time-out-public-service-safety-message.html

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/03/jackstand-safety.html
I have since built a set of these wooden stands, modeled on those shown here by 'potenza'.  My 1989 325ix is up on them as we speak, preparing for a transmission replacement.

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/03/jackstand-safety-ii.html


Video of a falling jack stand.  That's right.  It happens!
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/04/video-falling-jack-stands.html

Are ratchetting jack stands safe?
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/04/surprise-are-ratchetting-jack-stands.html

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/04/surprise-are-ratchetting-jack-stands.html

I have more posts on jack stand safety, recommended jack stands, etc back in March and April 2011.  Please check them out.

Have fun, boys and girls, but.... please remember:  Safety first, safety last, safety always.

Christian Klorcyzk, Requiescat in Pace.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theday/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=149361710

*UPDATE:  From Frederick K, Christian's Dad:  
After nearly two months of research I ended up with sets of these:

Emerson 12 Ton pin stands - Nebraska

Griots Spanish floor jack - 2" to 20" - 2 Ton

Christian's Type S daily driver behind: