At the latter half of this decade, two fatal crane accidents occurred in New York City. Besides leaving several construction workers dead, several civilians suffered injuries when machinery plummeted to the streets. Big cities generally have a good deal of high-rise construction, and poor crane safety regulation can result in similar crane accidents. In fact, crane accidents are one of the leading causes of injury within the construction industry.
If you have been injured in a crane accident in Chicago, you may be able to recover damages for the injuries you’ve incurred. To do so, you will need the help of a Chicago construction accident attorney.
Crane Safety
There are currently more than 200,000 cranes in operation in the US construction and maritime industries. And while crane technology continues to improve, it is important that operators, supervisors, and regulators always look to improve crane safety.
Some rules of safety when operating a crane include:
- Preparing a load chart, and knowing how much weight a crane can handle;
- Testing the hoist;
- Preventing anyone from entering within the crane’s swing radius; and
- Ensuring the proper set-up and stability of the outriggers.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established strict regulations for crane safety. OHSA requires training for those who help disassemble or move a crane. It also states that an operator must be at least 18 years of age, which is also the minimum age requirement for anyone who is involved with crane maintenance.
If the failure to abide by OHSA regulations has lead to a crane accident, a Chicago construction accident lawyer can investigate the case.
On US construction sites, crane accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths. This is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set strict rules for crane regulation. OSHA requires training for crane operators and mechanics, and has established rules of safety that construction workers must abide by at all times. Some of these crane safety rules include:
- Standard preparations for a load chart, in order to know how much weight a crane can handle;
- Hoist tests for stability and functionality;
- Establishing barriers to prevent anyone from entering within the swing radius; and
- Ensuring the proper set-up, stability, and maintenance of the outriggers.
- Regulations also state that a crane operator must be at least 18 years of age.
The failure to abide by these safety regulations can result in a fatal crane accident. It may lead to hazards such as rigging failures, overturned cranes, dropped loads, or overall collapses. Operators must also always be careful of high-voltage power lines. To see a full list of OSHA safety regulations regarding crane operation and maintenance, you can view the section on cranes and derricks at the US Department of Labor website.If you have recently been injured in a crane accident, you may want to know what your legal options are. To learn more you can read our article Crane Accidents and Injuries.
Hiring a Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer
After serious construction site injuries like those typical of a crane accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago construction accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080
