Cranes can be involved in deadly construction accidents

On Behalf of | Oct 13, 2017 | Construction Accidents

In recent years, the major New York City newspapers have all carried stories of catastrophic crane accidents that left workers and passers-by with injuries, some of which proved fatal.

The Big Apple isn’t the only metropolitan hub that has experienced these type of heavy equipment failures, however. In a single year, in various regions of the United States, 72 people died in crane-related accidents. Sadly, that’s not even the highest number of fatalities, as during one two-year period, deaths attributable to crane mishaps averaged at 78 deaths each year.

The sheer size and weight of the largest pieces of heavy equipment often cause multiple fatalities to occur when something goes wrong with a crane or piece of adjacent heavy machinery. Many of the fatal accidents occurred when the payloads being lifted by the cranes came loose and dropped down on those working below.

Below is the breakdown of fatalities that could be attributed to crane accidents all across America during one year:

  • Laborers -10 deaths
  • Electricians – 8 deaths
  • Brazers, cutters, welders and solderers – 6 deaths
  • Tower and crane operators – 3 deaths

Of the total fatalities among workers during that time frame, 26 of the deaths occurred to workers on private construction sites. Just six of the deceased workers were involved in public access projects building streets, highways or bridges.

The industry with the highest number of crane-related fatalities was manufacturing, with a total of 17 deaths. Mining trailed behind in second place in the private sector with seven fatalities.

If you work on or around cranes on the job site, you may suffer injuries while carrying out your daily tasks. A New York City personal injury attorney is one source of information regarding the pursuit of compensation for the injuries that you suffered.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Crane-Related Occupational Fatalities,” accessed Oct. 13, 2017

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