A mechanic has been sentenced to a year of community service for his part in the deadly collapse of a crane in Manhattan in 2008. Authorities said the mechanic had performed a “penny-pinching, shoddy repair to a crucial component of the 200-foot-tall crane,” which snapped apart just one month later. Two workers were killed and many other people were injured.
The mechanic, who accepted a plea agreement to criminally negligent homicide, was the only person convicted in the crane collapse. He testified against his boss, the crane’s owner, who was acquitted. The mechanic said the owner wanted to save money and time and agreed to accept a bid from a little known Chinese company to make repairs even though the company expressed concerns about being able to handle the job.
The construction site accident came just two months after another crane collapsed in New York, killing seven. Charges in that case also ended in acquittals.
Crane Accidents and OSHA Standards
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 100 people lose their lives each year in crane accidents and many more are seriously injured. The 2008 crane accidents in New York caused the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, to reconsider crane rules which had not been revised in more than 40 years ago.
OSHA began requiring crane operators to be certified, giving them four years to obtain certifications. The new OSHA standards also establish an expectation that other workers, such as signalers and riggers, are also qualified, though they do not have to be certified.
OSHA also makes general contractors responsible for ensuring that ground conditions are safe for crane operations. Tower crane parts must be inspected before they are erected and safety measures must be in place for working around power lines.
New York Crane Operator Regulations
The state of New York changed the way it licenses crane operators partly as a result of the 2008 crane tragedies. To run a crane in New York, an operator must obtain a “certificate of competence.” The state of New York has five classifications for crane operator licenses: unrestricted, hydraulic, boom truck, restricted boom truck, and line truck. All operators must obtain three years of practical experience under the direct supervision of a certified operator prior to applying for certification. Applicants must pass both a written and a practical exam to become certified.
Call a New York Construction Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a New York crane accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation. The New York construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd can explain your legal options.
With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.