Crane Accident Results in Fines for Contractor
A deadly crane accident this past spring resulted in one death and serious injuries to four others on the West Side of Manhattan. OSHA has finished its investigation into the accident and has found some level of fault with the contracting company behind the crane. As a result, the agency is levying fines against the company, hoping it will serve as a warning.
The accident happened when the crane boom fell, after the wire rope that was used to raise and lower it broke. This, OSHA says, was completely preventable.
According to the NY Times:
Fundamental, vital and required safety practices were not followed in this case, resulting in the most extreme consequence: the loss of a worker’s life,” Kay Gee, the agency’s area director in Manhattan, said in a statement. “Had the proper procedures been followed, this incident and this worker’s death could have been prevented.
OSHA cited the company with violations including failing to inspect the wire ropes, allowing a worker inside the crane’s “fall zone,” and not ensuring the rigger was properly trained. The subcontractor was also fined for failing to ensure proper rigger training. In all, fines for both companies totaled $75,000.
Dangerous equipment is commonplace on construction sites. And cranes are one of the most dangerous of them all. Their weight, elevation, and the weight of the things they carry all can make a crane accident one of the most potentially costly and traumatic.
OSHA offers several tips regarding crane safety, including:
- Cranes are to be operated only by qualified and trained personnel.
- Watch for overhead electric power lines and maintain at least a 10-foot safe working clearance from the lines.
- Inspect all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist lines around the load.
- Be sure to use the correct load chart for the crane’s current configuration and setup, the load weight and lift path.
- Do not exceed the load chart capacity while making lifts.
- Raise load a few inches, hold, verify capacity/balance, and test brake system before delivering load.
- Do not move loads over workers.
- Be sure to follow signals and manufacturer instructions while operating cranes.
Ginarte Crane Accident Lawyers
The New York and New Jersey construction accident attorneys of Ginarte understand what a dangerous field construction work is. We know because we’ve seen some of the results of construction accidents firsthand. We take it as our responsibility to get justice for people who are injured while working on construction sites.
If you’ve been hurt in a NY / NJ construction accident, we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss the details of your accident and the options available to you.
