Why do cranes fall? It’s a troubling question given that cranes were designed to safely allow construction workers to reach work sites that are at extreme heights. Clearly, when a crane falls, there was a lapse in regard to safety.
On construction projects of great magnitude, numerous cranes may be employed and if one should experience a mishap, disaster could ensue. Which may be why, on the building of the replacement Tappan Zee Bridge, which utilized 28 cranes, the collapse of one boom crane is commanding so much attention. Part of the boom fell to a platform below both bridges while another part careened down across lanes of traffic on the original bridge, causing cars to veer out of its path. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
After two accidents in 2008 that resulted in fatalities and several other incidents involving crane collapses, a special task force has recommended measures intended to help spot potential hazards. One recommendation is for a special meter to be put on cranes which will measure wind gusts. Another suggestion is to equip cranes with a black box that keeps a record that would indicate if a crane lifted beyond its weight capacity.
Until crane accidents cease to occur or become a far less common occurrence, innocent bystanders, pedestrians, tourists and construction workers will continue to get hurt. If you or a loved one was injured or killed by a mechanical failing of construction equipment, you have grounds for recourse. You may want to consult with a New York personal injury attorney to find out what your best next steps are in seeking compensation for your suffering.
Source: InsuranceJournal.com, “OSHA, State Probe New York’s Latest Crane Collapse,” Varina Dobnik, July 24, 2016
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