There was a crane accident in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 1, 2024. According to reports, two workers were in a crane basket when a nearby boom fell onto its side. The boom hit the basket the workers were in, causing injury. The incident remains under investigation.
Boom trucks, commonly used in construction, utility, and forestry, present specific hazards, particularly when there is a risk of the truck tipping over. A boom truck tipping can be a catastrophic event, often resulting from instability or overloading. When a boom truck tips, the extended boom acts like a giant lever, making any tipping motion more pronounced and dangerous. This can be exacerbated by improper positioning on uneven ground or failure to fully deploy stabilizers. In such instances, the boom might not only fall but can also swing uncontrollably. This poses a significant risk as the boom could collide with nearby structures, vehicles, other equipment like cranes, or even power lines, causing further accidents or creating cascading failures within the worksite.
Another critical hazard arises when the boom truck is operating near other cranes or heavy equipment. In congested work areas, the spatial limitations greatly increase the risk of the boom making contact with other equipment if the truck tips or shifts. For instance, if a boom truck operating in proximity to another crane tips over, the boom could strike the adjacent crane, potentially causing it to also lose balance and collapse. This scenario not only leads to equipment damage but also poses severe risks to the safety of all personnel on site. The interplay between multiple pieces of heavy machinery requires rigorous planning and communication to mitigate such risks.
Additionally, the tip-over of a boom truck can lead to blocked escape routes or access paths within the construction site. This can trap workers and hinder emergency response efforts, complicating rescues and escalating the severity of any incident. Ensuring that boom trucks are operated with strict adherence to weight limits and reach capacities, and that all operational guidelines regarding stability and ground conditions are followed, is essential to prevent such accidents. Regular training and safety drills for workers can also help in recognizing early signs of instability and effectively responding to emergencies, minimizing the impact of such hazardous events.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving cranes. The boom of a crane collapsed at the Samsung semiconductor plant in Taylor, Texas on April 12, 2024. A crane collapsed at the Venture Global LNG contstruction project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on April 16, 2024. A crane collapsed during construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 24, 2024.
Companies, supervisors, and workers may not be fully aware of the hazards of operating cranes. As a result, they may not have implemented proper policies and procedures to minimize risks. One mechanism to safely evaluate and prepare for risks is through the use of a Job Safety Analysis (“JSA”) or Risk Assessment, which is standard in the industry. When this does not occur, it can result in catastrophic personal injury or death. In a JSA, each step of the job is examined to identify potential hazards and to recommend the safest way to perform the work in order to minimize those risks. According to OSHA:
A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after you identify uncontrolled hazards, you will take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level.
Our experienced lawyers have handled personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits of all kinds and have the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of a crane accident. The experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident involving a crane.
Our lawyers have represented numerous workers who have sustained serious and catastrophic injuries on a job site as a result of the negligence of another party. Our experienced attorneys have previously been involved in numerous lawsuits involving cranes. There are strict and short time limits on making claims, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.