Construction accidents happen all over, and whether they happen in New Jersey, New York or a faraway country, they often have lessons for us all. On April 2013, a man in Calgary, Canada, was critically injured on a scissor lift while working on a construction site.

According to the Calgary Herald, the man was operating a scissor lift when his head got stuck between the controls of the machine and the ceiling. He was discovered unresponsive by a coworker and emergency responders were immediately called.

“Fire crews brought him down and started basic trauma life support until EMS arrived,” said a spokesperson.

The Canadian version of OSHA has placed a stop-work order on the site while they investigate the accident and what caused it. If it’s found that the company didn’t provide safe equipment or that they failed to properly train their workers, they could be fined for their shortcomings.

Similarly, had the accident occurred in the U.S., the man could hold the company responsible for his injuries—seeking damages for his pain and suffering, his medical costs, and more.

Large equipment accidents are not uncommon in the construction industry. While companies must provide proper training and the right equipment to get a job done safely, these accidents can still occur.

OSHA makes several recommendations in the prevention of scissor-lift accidents. Among these are:

• Selecting proper work locations, away from hazards
• Inspecting the machine and controls before beginning use
• Operating in safe weather conditions
• Ensuring brakes are set on the machine before raising
• Ensuring recommended load limits are followed
• Training workers on all safety rules and manufacturers’ recommendations
• Allowing only trained workers to operate the scissor lift
• Testing, inspecting, and maintaining the equipment properly.

As a construction worker, many of these precautions are up to you to follow. But you must depend on your coworkers and employer to help keep you safe too. When someone falls short in their responsibilities and you end up injured, you need access to justice.

The construction accident attorneys of Ginarte are committed to helping injured workers in New York and New Jersey get the compensation they deserve. If you are hurt on a construction site, contact our offices today by calling 888-GINARTE for a free consultation.