Though there are many jobs that hold out the possibility of injuries or dangers, construction work is an occupation that holds particularly high risk. There are a number of preventive measures that can be taken by construction workers in order to maximize their safety. These include using proper tools that are in good condition and adhering to safety guidelines. Unfortunately, there are many construction sites where no matter how careful workers may be, a lack of attention on the part of their employers put them at risk. Ever since 1970, construction companies have been held to high standards of safety by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and a law called the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
One of the biggest concerns for construction workers is the high incidence of crane accidents. Though cranes are a sign of economic boom times for developers, for construction workers they often represent peril. Cranes have been linked to many construction accidents as a result of a number of potential risks, including:
• Parts breaking or some other malfunction resulting in the crane buckling
• Electronic and mechanical issues resulting in electrocution
• Injuries incurred while cranes are being assembled or disassembled
• The collapse of the crane boom
• Crane coming into contact with live power lines
• Cranes dropping heavy objects onto workers
• Workers falling from cranes
As is so often the case with construction accidents, most crane accidents are preventable. Whether an accident is caused by a crane’s collapse, a faulty part or because a worker was pressured to push equipment beyond its capacity in order to get a job done more quickly, in most cases if safety guidelines were followed the accident would not have occurred. One of the most common causes of crane accidents is the improper loading or blocking of the load on the crane. This causes the load to shift dangerously, and the crane as well.
In most circumstances in which a crane construction accident takes place, the operator of the crane is not the person who is injured. Instead the injured party is generally another worker who was doing his job nearby when the crane collapsed on top of them or dropped their load onto them. The injured often include ironworkers, riggers and carpenters, and the injuries suffered can range from minor bumps and bruises to traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and even death.
The responsibility for a construction accident can lie in many different directions. It may be the fault of another worker, but in many cases the problem lies with improperly maintained equipment, insufficient training or inadequate attention and supervision being provided by the construction company management. The responsibility for construction crane accidents may rest with the crane’s manufacturer or the contractor or subcontractor that was assigned to do the work.
If you have been injured in a construction accident or have lost someone you loved as a result of one, the experienced Philadelphia law firm of Bochetto & Lentz can provide you with knowledgeable advice and information on your rights. Contacting us may provide you with relief from expensive medical bills, lost wages and more.
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