New York City Crane Accident Attorneys
Safety tips from a crane accident attorney in New York City
In 2008, the Department of Labor estimated that an average of 82 fatalities result from construction crane accidents yearly. Since then, the statistics have worsened:
- In 2008 alone, the U.S. saw 401 crane-related on the job injuries, with 217 resulting in death.
- The 2009 numbers were also grim—303 injuries and 197 fatalities.
The injuries suffered by crane accident victims are commonly serious, even deadly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that crane accidents and falls are the leading causes of construction job fatalities.
Crane accidents involve a lethal mix of dangerous conditions, including—
- The potentially crushing weight of heavy machinery
- The unpredictability of moving loads
- The danger of falling from height
- Tipping/falling risks from load balancing miscalculations
- Slip and fall risks from a crane's wet surfaces
- Falling multi-ton loads as a result of operator error, overload, or faulty equipment maintenance
- Electrocution risk from contact with nearby power lines
- Errors caused by inadequately trained crane operators
The crane is a massive piece of machinery. Combine that with the type of service cranes are expected to perform—moving, lifting, and placing of heavy loads—and you have a recipe for property destruction, personal injury, and liability lawsuits.
Five tips to prevent crane accidents from occurring
Due to increased safety standards, crane accidents have become rarer as a percentage of crane use overall. But they make the news when they do occur because of the severe injuries and property destruction they cause. To avoid crane accidents, these five safety tips are offered to help operators, supporting crew members, and supervisors prevent them.
Tip #1—Perform pre-op machinery checks
Before a crane is put into the day’s operations, an inspector should check the crane for any mechanical problems.
Tip #2—Perform ongoing, scheduled maintenance
Per OHSA guidance, the crane should undergo comprehensive regular inspections, looking for cracks, faulty wiring, worn ropes/cables, or other damage and wear to parts.
Tip #3—Danger zone marking and education
Anyone within the zone of crane operations is a potential victim. Just one careless oversight or mechanical mishap can cost the life of anyone nearby. Warn workers, install border fences to prevent public access to the danger zone, and use a trained signal worker to assist in maneuvering operations.
Tip #4—Verify the foundation
A crane is only as safe as the foundation upon which it rests. Mount the crane only on stable, flat ground with no less than ten feet between the crane and any electrical cables. The tower crane’s foundation and structural supports should be designed by the manufacturer or an appropriately trained engineer.
Tip #5—Encourage alert operations
Even a well-trained and trustworthy operator or supporting worker who lacks proper rest breaks or a full night's rest may make dangerous errors that can lead to tragedy. To avoid crane accidents related to fatigued workers, supervisors should not allow fatigued operators behind the controls, should give workers at least the minimum required rest breaks, and should discourage overtime operations.
