A criminal trial is under way this week involving a New York City crane accident that killed seven people after a 200-foot-tall crane rigging crashed onto a densely crowded block.
The New York Building Department licenses more than 1,700 crane operators. Construction cranes continue to pose a safety threat throughout the city. As our New York Injury Lawyer Blog reported in April, a crane accident sent a 250-foot-tall crane crashing into a 25-story building in Lower Manhattan that houses the city's crane inspectors.
The Associated Press reported that the 49-year-old crane rigger is facing manslaughter charges for the March 2008 disaster, which left a path of destruction through a neighborhood near the United Nations and led to tighter scrutiny of cranes throughout New York City. Prosecutors allege the rigger was reckless in securing the rig as it extended upward. His attorney maintains the defendant followed industry practices and other factors led to the deadly crane accident.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that between 60 and 80 people a year are killed in crane accidents. This crane collapse was one of two that occurred in New York City during the spring of 2008. The second crash killed two people a month later. The accidents prompted a review of 23 cranes working in the city, which found more than one-third had uncertified operators.
The accident at East 51st Street sent a 12,000 pound steel support collar crashing to the ground and toppled the 250-foot-high tower crane. Seven people, including six crane workers, died in the accident. Two dozen others were seriously injured.
Prosecutors allege four safety straps were used, one of which was badly worn, instead of the eight straps required by manufacturer specifications.
Fallout from the pair of crane accidents resulted in the resignation of the city's top building official, criminal charges against a city inspector accused of lying about crane inspections, and a host of new crane-safety initiatives. New safety efforts included hiring additional inspectors, extending training requirements and inspection checklists and banning the use of nylon straps unless recommended by the manufacturer.
If you have been injured in a crane accident or an accident at or near a construction site, contact the New York City injury attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 866-LifeLaw (866-543-3529).
