Most crane accidents are preventable. Recently, yet another tragic crane accident death made the news. The accident occurred in New York City on April 3, 2012. Apparently, a 25-year-old construction worker was crushed after a partial building collapse in a residential neighborhood. According to news reports, injuries of three other construction workers resulted when the remaining structure was not properly secured.

Crane accident prevention & safety standards

Both OSHA and IOSHA have recently adopted a new crane safety standard designed to prevent construction accident deaths and serious injury. In our practice, most of our crane accident cases could have been avoided if OSHA regulations had been enforced. Construction cranes are subjected to incredible forces and require extensive pre-job inspections and maintenance. The wire cables and slings used in lifts also need the same degree of care. Any defect should result in the crane being shut down until it is repaired or replaced. 

Safe Crane operation also requires extensive pre-lift coordination with the general contractor and other subcontractors to ensure the lift area is kept free from unauthorized personnel. The spotter’s role requires a competent person who is trained in hand signals and has the authority to abort the lift should safety concerns arise. Safety should never be sacrificed for speed on a construction site, but sadly, this happens every day. Indiana construction workers pay the price through serious personal injuries and even wrongful death.

Golitko & Daly can help

At Golitko & Daly, our Indiana construction accident lawyers have extensive experience in crane and construction accidents. As OSHA-authorized construction safety trainers, we know what went wrong and who is responsible. Ironworkers, operators, laborers, carpenters, and electricians throughout Indiana know that not every personal injury lawyer is a construction injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident, contact us today.