Fall from hydraulic lift injures construction worker

A construction worker on a residential construction site in New Jersey was injured last week when the hydraulic lift he was using fell over.  The fall of over 30 feet resulted in serious injuries to the man.

Hydraulic lifts are frequently used on construction sites and can be the cause of serious construction accidents.  One common cause of the an accident involving a hydraulic lift is use without having proper footings.  When a lift is used on dirt or unfinished ground, especially when wet or having a high sand content, there is a risk that the supporting arms of the hydraulic lift will sink into the ground, creating a high risk that the lift will tip over.

Use of a hydraulic lift  on a project is something which should be considered when developing a safety plan for a construction site.  The general contractor most job sites will have responsibility for making sure that the risks associated with the use of this kind of equipment are considered before the work begins and that an adequate plan to address these risks is developed and implemented throughout the project.  Failing to do so can be the basis of a third party liability construction accident suit.