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.
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