As a veteran crane operator in New York, you know all the ins and outs of handling your crane. You’ve probably grown so accustomed to operating such equipment that you are sure you could do it blindfolded.
No matter how comfortable you get, it is always important to remember how dangerous your job really is. This is true for you and other members of the construction crew as well.
While staying up to date on safety procedures is good way to avoid injury on the job, accidents do happen. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be a very difficult and complicated process. In order to ensure your rights are protected, contact a local New York attorney for advice on your claim.
Read below for common crane operating hazards.
Electrocution
Construction workers die or are seriously injured every year due to contact with power lines. This is often because of a lack of safety protocol prior to starting the job. For example, before the crane even arrives on site, a safety audit should be conducted to identify potential hazards.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there should be a 10-foot radius around power lines. Furthermore, lines that are considered dangerous clearly identified for crane operators with insulated barriers, fences, or tape.
When working around power lines, it is a good idea to use the “buddy system.” Have additional workers on the ground functional as spotters to call out hazards that may not be visible to the crane operator.
Crane upset
According to OSHA, for every 10,000 hours of operation at least one crane upset occurs. This typically happens because of human error. Relying on your instinct or experience to decide when a load is too heavy can cause you to exceed the machine’s lifting capacity. Be sure you are not exceeding your crane’s maximum load.
Falling objects
When materials are not properly secured, materials can come loose and fall, potentially causing someone’s death. Be sure that regular maintenance checks are being performed along with routine load testing. When working around the crane, encourage the rest of the crew to wear personal protective equipment, including proper head, foot, and eyewear.
Bad weather
It’s bad enough working in inclement weather when you’re on the ground. It becomes especially dangerous when you are working at great heights in windy, snowy, or rainy conditions. Remember that your crane is designed to take only a limited amount of abuse from bad weather. Take the time to assess your load and the kind of affects the weather will have on operating the crane.
No matter how safe you try to be while on the job, accidents happen at construction sites all the time. If you have been injured on the job, let a local New York attorney with workers’ compensation experience shed light on what you can do fr om here.
