Crane Accidents

Published on: June 5, 2013

Crane Accident Prevention: OSHA wants to extend deadline for demolition site and underground construction site crane operators to get their license

In a previous blog we mentioned that OSHA decided to apply cranes and derricks safety standard requirements to demolition and underground construction sites. The deadline for crane operators to get their certification was November 14th 2014 but OSHA just announced that it has was planning to extend it to November 10 2017 so that the certification requirements do not take effect during potential rulemaking or cause disruption to the construction industry.

Published on: May 30, 2013

New York Crane Accident: No injury after Crane tips over near the East River in Manhattan

By GGCRBHS&M

Thankfully there was no injury following the crane accident near the Eat River at the Water Club restaurant. The 20 ton crane, a Grove RT540E owned by Phoenix Marine was doing work on a bulkhead on the south end of the restaurant when workers said it became snagged on a barge support beam and fell over.

The picture shows that at the time of the accident the crane seemed to be proprely set up and its boom was fully extended. Therefore at Gair Gair Conason Steigman Mackauf Bloom and Rubinowitz we think that the load being lifted was too heavy (overloaded) causing the crane to tip.

The New York City Department of Buildings is investigating.

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Published on: May 7, 2013

Construction Accidents: OSHA to apply cranes and derricks safety standard requirements to demolition and underground construction sites

By GGCRBHS&M

In order to prevent and reduce hoisting equipment related accidents in demolition sites and underground construction sites, OSHA is extending the application of the requirements of the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction standard to all construction sectors.

Starting May 13 2013, the separate standard applying to demolition and underground construction will no longer exist and employers will have to comply with streamlined OSHA standards. As a consequence, the existing operator-certification requirement will be extended to crane operators who perform underground construction work or demolition work. These crane operators have until November 14th 2014 to take their test and get certified.

OSHA says that the August 2010 crane and derricks rules saves an average of 22 lives per year and prevent 175 non fatal injuries per year and that it should also benefit demolition sites and underground construction workers.