On the afternoon of May 4, 2013, a
crane collapsed killing two workers in Stark County, Ohio. The accident occurred
at the Timken Company’s Faircrest Steel Plant around 12:45 PM. The workers were
employees of Beaver Excavating and were rigging a load of wood onto a crane.
Something within the crane snapped and the two workers were killed instantly. The ages of the victims have not yet been
released.
The plant is undergoing a multi-million
dollar expansion so Beaver excavating is on site helping the project. Several
cranes must be used during the project. Out of respect for those involved, the
plant has halted all operations until Monday 8 AM.
Prevalence of Deadly Crane Accidents
According to the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, there are approximately 125,000 cranes operating
today in the construction industry. This number does not include the cranes
used in general and maritime industries. Unfortunately, these cranes can lead
to severe accidents and injuries when not maintained properly. According to
OSHA, the major causes of all accidents involving cranes include:
- Contact with power lines
- Overturns
- Falls
- Mechanical failures
These accidents are so prevalent that
crane accidents accounted for 8 percent of all fatal construction events from
1991 to 2002.
Reducing Crane Accidents
For construction workers, read the
following tips in order to prevent crane accidents from happening:
·
Assess all
construction sites in case a crane incident does occur. Be sure that the site
is adequately prepared for lifting operations and any hazards that can result
from a crane falling
·
Establish a crane
safety plan for every lift. Be sure that the crane is strong enough to carry
the weight. Every crane should also be inspected and maintained by the
manufacturers’ specifications
·
Train all
employers in safe crane operations. Everyone should receive the necessary
training in order to operate cranes in a safe manner.
Workers’ Compensation Attorney
For those who have been injured on
the job due to a crane accident, you should contact a workers’ compensation
attorney to ensure your rightful compensation. A workers’ compensation attorney
will work to maximize your compensation potential and benefits. Contact us
today in order to protect your workers’ rights.
