There was a crane accident in Little River, South Carolina on September 3, 2024. According to reports, a crane collapsed landing on an under construction home. The crane landed on one worker at the project, killing him. The victim has been identified as Anibal Sanchez Pelayo of Galivants Ferry. Additional details have not yet been released. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this incident.
The risk of a crane collapse on a residential construction project is a serious safety concern that can lead to devastating consequences. Cranes are essential for lifting heavy materials and equipment during construction, but their size and complexity make them particularly vulnerable to mechanical failure, improper operation, or environmental factors. When a crane collapses, it can cause severe damage to nearby buildings, vehicles, and, most importantly, harm or kill workers and residents in the area. Due to the density of residential areas and the proximity of workers and bystanders, the risks associated with a crane collapse on such projects are even greater than in more isolated construction sites.
One of the primary causes of crane collapses is improper setup or maintenance. Cranes must be carefully assembled and anchored to ensure stability, especially on uneven or soft ground commonly found on residential construction sites. If the crane is not properly set up, it can become unbalanced, increasing the risk of tipping over while in operation. Similarly, mechanical failures due to poor maintenance, such as malfunctioning winches, broken cables, or worn-out parts, can lead to catastrophic collapses. Ensuring that cranes are regularly inspected and maintained is critical to preventing these types of accidents.
Another significant risk factor for crane collapses is human error. Crane operators need extensive training and experience to safely handle the equipment, particularly when working in confined spaces, such as residential areas. Mistakes such as overloading the crane, swinging the boom too quickly, or misjudging the weight of materials being lifted can all lead to a collapse. In residential construction, where buildings and infrastructure are in close proximity, these errors can have fatal consequences, not only for the workers on-site but also for people living or passing by the area.
Environmental factors also play a major role in crane collapses. High winds, heavy rain, or unstable soil conditions can cause a crane to lose balance and collapse. Residential construction sites are often located in urban or suburban areas, where strong winds can funnel between buildings, creating unpredictable gusts that may affect the stability of a crane. It’s essential for construction companies to monitor weather conditions and halt crane operations during hazardous weather to reduce the risk of collapse. The combination of these risks makes crane collapses one of the most dangerous potential accidents in residential construction projects.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving cranes. There was a crane accident in Centralia, Illinois on May 30, 2024. A portion of a crane fell well being assembled in Waite Park, Minnesota on July 23, 2024. There was a deadly crane accident in Paradise Valley, Arizona on July 29, 2024. A truck boom collapsed in Brooklyn, New York on August 1, 2024. There was a crane collapse from a barge in Savannah, Georgia on August 26, 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.