How To Prevent Construction Crane Accidents

Crane accidents are a leading cause for construction injuries and fatalities. Due to the massive size of the machines and the possibility of something going wrong due to machine or human error, prevention of construction crane accidents is an essential part of construction safety training.

While on occasion machines will malfunction and cause an accident, there are ways employers and employees can reduce the risk of a crane accident while on a construction site. Here are the most common ways to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from construction accidents involving cranes:

Safety Training/Emergency Drills

Employers and employees should be devoted to a regular schedule of safety training seminars related to construction work and safe crane operation, especially when new-hires are on the job. Emergency drills also should be included in the safety trainings so workers are prepared and know what to do should an actual emergency occur.

Consistent Maintenance/Inspections

In order for any piece of heavy equipment to function properly, it must be maintained, repaired, and inspected by qualified technicians on consistent basis. Missing maintenance tasks to save time or money is one reason cranes become unstable or perform poorly, leading to worker accidents on construction sites.

Site assessment

Prior to working with a crane on a construction site, the site should be carefully assessed to determine safe placement and operation. Workers should be fully aware as to where electric lines are located and other such hazards that would affect the proper operation of the crane.

Signal Personnel

Signal personnel should be on hand and alert at all times in order to protect other workers on the ground as well as the crane operator. Signal personnel should be present to warn both workers and operators as to potential hazards on a busy construction site.

Personal Protective Equipment

In order to prevent accidents related to working on a crane, operators and personnel should use personal protective equipment such as hard hats and rigging equipment to prevent injury or death from falls, material unloading, and other construction site hazards.

If you have worked as a crane operator or on a construction job site and were injured by a crane, you'll need to protect your rights to worker's compensation claims. Contact our office at (877) 288-9191 or use the online contact form to discuss your potential case.

Lever & Stolzenberg, LLP is located in White Plains, New York and serves clients throughout the state, including New York City's five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island) as well as Westchester County, Rockland County and Long Island. 

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