There was a construction accident in San Antonio, Texas on May 8, 2024. According to reports, two workers became trapped in a cherry picker while performing work on Loop 1604. The workers were in a raised cherry picked to install steel beams. During the work, a beam fell onto the cherry picker, knocking it over, and trapping the workers inside. The workers were taken to University Hospital when they were freed.
Cherry pickers, also known as boom lifts or aerial work platforms, are essential tools in many industries, including construction, maintenance, and utility work. These vehicles enable workers to reach high areas safely and efficiently. However, their operation involves inherent risks, particularly the danger of the equipment tipping over or operators becoming trapped inside the basket. Understanding these risks is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers.
The potential for cherry pickers to tip over is one of the primary risks associated with their use. This can occur due to several factors, including improper setup, operation on uneven ground, or exceeding the machine’s operational limits such as weight capacity and reach. Tipping accidents are particularly likely when cherry pickers are used in areas where the ground is not properly assessed for stability and load-bearing capacity. Additionally, environmental conditions like strong winds can destabilize these high-reaching platforms, increasing the risk of a catastrophic tip-over event.
Being trapped inside a cherry picker presents another significant hazard. This situation can arise in various scenarios, such as mechanical failures that incapacitate the lift mechanism, or when the basket becomes entangled with overhead obstacles like power lines or tree branches. Workers trapped at height are at risk not only from the immediate mechanical or structural hazards but also from health issues that can arise from being confined at height for extended periods, such as dehydration or exposure to extreme weather.
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to adhere to strict safety protocols. Operators must receive comprehensive training on the proper operation and emergency procedures associated with cherry pickers. This training should include how to assess environmental and ground conditions before deploying the lift, as well as how to respond in an emergency, such as a mechanical failure or entrapment. Regular maintenance and inspections of the equipment are also crucial to ensure that all components are in good working order and that safety systems are functional. Through careful planning, training, and adherence to safety standards, the risks associated with cherry picker operations can be significantly reduced, protecting workers from potential accidents and injuries.
Tragically, there have been a number of recent deaths and injuries on construction projects. A metal drum escaped a construction project and hit and killed a bystander in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 3, 2024. A scissor lift fell over at a construction project at Centennial Village at the University of Miami on April 27, 2024. A worker fell into a trench while installing a storm drain and was killed in Kenilworth, New Jersey on May 6, 2024. A worker fell from a ladder when he was electrocuted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 8, 2024. A worker was run over by an excavator in Center Township, Pennsylvania on May 8, 2024.
Despite being a vital part of the economy, construction projects often pose severe hazards both to construction workers and to the general public if precautions are not taken. Each construction project poses its own unique risks and hazards based on the work being done. Risks that may present themselves during a project must be carefully evaluated before the job begins.
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 hurt. The experienced construction 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 at a work site.
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. 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.