Crane Accidents Are More Common Than You Might Think

The use of cranes for increasingly ambitious construction projects is a crucial part of American development, and helps to create world-class cities that are ever-evolving. However, the reality for construction workers that regularly use and operate cranes is that they have the potential to cause fatal accidents. Engineers are constantly working to make cranes safer and accidents less likely to happen. Unfortunately, crane accidents are more common than you might think.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published a report that states that 72 employees died as a result of crane-related accidents in 2006. Although this number might seem surprisingly high to you, it is actually representative of a significant fall from the average of 78 deaths per year between 2003 and 2005.

The workers that were reported by the BLS as being most likely to be victim of crane-related fatalities was construction laborers, electricians, brazers, solderers and welders. These incidents most often involved overhead cranes, as well as rail mounted cranes.

OSHA has identified the most common cause of fatal injuries from crane-related accident as a direct hit from the boom or the crane. Incidents have also been recorded where cranes have overturned, dropped loads or had rigging failures.

As a protection for construction workers, OSHA has created a set of detailed guidelines for the safety of construction workers and their workplaces. Injuries that construction workers are involved in at work are always compensated for damages that they have suffered if they meet the criteria. It is important to read OSHA guidelines carefully before making a claim.

Source: Graphic Products, “Crane accidents,” accessed Oct. 12, 2017