We ordinarily like to profile local cases, but so many construction accidents from across the country feature lessons we can all learn from. Construction accidents that occur in the New York and New Jersey area are often almost identical to those occurring in other states. In other words, construction sites here are similar to construction sites everywhere, and lessons can be shared across the map.

In 2013 two construction workers in Ohio were killed in a crane accident. According to Ohio.com, the crane boom fell on the workers. Officials aren’t sure what caused the crane to collapse, and the investigation is ongoing.

We do know that both workers who were killed were not working for the same company that employed the crane operator. This was a $260 million construction project, so many companies were on-site.

The accident victims worked for an excavating company and were on the ground preparing a load to be lifted. That’s when the boom came crashing down. The site was shut down for the day as police, OSHA, and company officials flooded the area to investigate.

Crane work is inherently dangerous. It seems that most often, however, the worst crane accidents are those that occur when the giant machines collapse. When that occurs, heavy steel can come crashing down upon everyone in the near vicinity, putting everyone on the job site and even those surrounding it at risk.

Electricity hazards and falling from heights are also dangers encountered when working with cranes. The risks are many, and much of the responsibility in preventing these accidents rests with the upkeep and maintenance of the crane itself.

Many cranes currently in use are old. Cranes are very expensive machines, and some construction companies put off replacing them until they are nearly falling apart. This means that those cranes are just accidents waiting to happen, and sometimes they aren’t taken out of commission until that accident does happen.

Proper maintenance, safety practices, and skilled operators all play a role in preventing crane accidents. As a construction worker, you can also reduce your risk of being hurt by a crane by observing safe zones and being aware when cranes are in use. As a worker, however, you can’t prevent all accidents.

New York and New Jersey Crane Accident Attorneys

If you are a construction worker and you are injured in a crane accident or any other construction accident, the attorneys with Ginarte may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our offices today to discuss your case and how we might be able to help.