Heavy equipment is a necessary part of the construction industry. Cranes accidents are responsible for a large portion of construction injuries anddeaths each year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), crane accidents are responsible for about 50 deaths in the U.S. every year. Crane accidents can injure or kill crane operators themselves and non-operators working near the machinery.
Safe crane operation requires special training and skill. Many crane operators are required to hold a special license or certificate in order to operate the machinery. OSHA, the federal agency responsible for workplace safety, has set rigid standards for the operation of heavy machinery. Employers are responsible for compliance with OSHA regulations.
Crane accident causes
Of the many types of cranes, mobile cranes are involved in the vast majority of crane accidents. The leading cause of fatal crane accidents is contact with power lines, responsible for about 40% of crane accident deaths. According to an OSHA report released in 2000, lack of communication and instability, primarily due to unsecured loads and overloaded cranes, were at the heart of most crane accidents. Common causes of crane accidents and injuries include:
- Mechanical failure
- Outrigger failure
- Boom buckling
- Dropped loads
- Overturned cranes
- Lack of operator training, experience, or supervision
- Improper assembly or dismantling of crane
- Overloading
- Over-steering
- Control confusion
- Unintentional turntable turning
- Side pull
- Hoist limitations
- Killer hooks
- Two-blocking
- Access or egress
- Non-operators struck by a moving load
- Non-operators working within the swing radius of the cab or counterweight
Mechanical failure can be the result of inadequate maintenance, failure to perform required inspections, or equipment with manufacturing or design defects.
Crane accident injuries
Crane accidents, like all heavy equipment accidents, can have catastrophic results. Operators and non-operators can suffer injuries ranging in severity from very minor, to permanently disabling, or even deadly. Most who are injured in crane accidents will, at the least, face high medical bills and lost wages. Some will never be able to return to work. Injuries caused by crane accidents include:
- Brain injury
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputation
- Crush injuries
- Electrocution
- Coma
- Death
Responsible parties
Employers are responsible for safety conditions on jobsites, including the safe use of heavy equipment. OSHA requires employers to eliminate electrocution risks, and to post and ensure compliance with manufacturers’ specifications dictating safe load ratings, operating speeds, and other aspects of crane operation. Employers also have a duty to properly screen and supervise crane operators. However, like any construction accident, there can be multiple responsible parties involved in crane accident lawsuits, including:
- Crane operators
- Crane manufacturers
- Construction site owners
- General contractors
- Sub-contractors
- Prime contractors
- Architects
- Engineers
Worker compensation
Even if you do not intend to pursue a lawsuit, in a crane accident, you should file a worker’s compensation claim . All employers are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance. A worker’s compensation claim is not a lawsuit against you employer, and it is not welfare. It is an insurance claim. You should file a worker’s compensation claim as soon as possible after any type of construction accident. The sooner you file the sooner you can start to receive benefits which can help you and your family while you are out of work. Benefits which you may receive include:
- Temporary disability
- Current and future medical bills
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Permanent disability
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a crane accident, contact an experienced construction accident attorney today.
