Crane Accident: What factors might reduce the risk: Do You Need A Crane lawyer?

Taking these precautions will reduce the risk of a crane accident occurring:

• Properly train crane operators and other personnel
  
• Properly rig the loads to the crane
  
• Do not exceeding the maximum lift load capacity of the crane
  
• Conduct complete crane inspections
  
• Have an effective preventive maintenance program
  
• Proper communicate between the crane operator and workers in the vicinity
  
• Supervise of all aspects of crane operation, from assembly to disassembly
  
• Proper communicate when assembling or disassembling the crane
  

What causes crane accidents?

• 40% of crane accidents are caused by the crane coming into contact with power lines and electrocuting the crane operator as well as nearby workers
  
• 15% of crane accidents are caused by the crane overturning - cranes often overturn because the load is not secured properly, the load weight exceeds the maximum load weight of the crane, or the crane is not placed on level ground
  
• 12% of crane accidents are caused by improper assembly or disassembly - improper assembly or disassembly is often due to a lack of communication and human error
  
• 10% of crane accidents are caused by a lack of communication between the crane operator and other workers - often the crane operator is a distance from the work site or is not in full and direct view of the work site
  
• 7% of crane accidents are caused by crane malfunction
  
• 3% of crane accidents are caused by a lack of training - although improper training ranked very low as a primary cause for crane accidents, it has been found to be a major secondary factor in many crane accidents
  

OSHA maintains a variety of measures that govern the use of cranes. What regulations exist regarding crane use?

• OSHA requires crane operators to be 18 years of age or older and to be properly trained.
  
• OSHA has specific training requirements that the crane operator must satisfy. The specific training requirements vary depending on the type of crane the crane operator is using.
  
• OSHA also has detailed industry standards describing crane design, crane labeling, and crane inspection.
  

Have you or a loved one been injured or died in a crane accident?
A person who is injured in a crane accident may have a personal injury claim based on negligence. An employee who is injured in a crane accident may have a personal injury claim or a case based on workers compensation.

Do you need a construction injury lawyer? Since crane accidents are complex, you will need a law firm who has a track record winning construction injury cases and who is knowledgeable about the construction industry.

A construction attorney can help a victim of a crane accident to determine what legal course of action might be available. A construction attorney can help with the discovery process to see what safety measures were and were not undertaken by the employer and if those precautions met OSHA or State law.