Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyers: New Safety Standards for Cranes

In the wake of a tragic construction accident that took one life and injured several others, one city is taking steps to help improve safety on construction sites. The accident happened in Manhattan on February 5^th as construction workers were preparing to secure the massive crawler crane because of dangerous wind gusts. Before they could finish, the crane’s 565-foot boom came crashing down onto the street, killing a pedestrian as he walked to work. Three others were also injured, including two that had to be hospitalized with serious injuries they sustained after being struck by falling debris.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new regulations designed to improve the safety of pedestrians in and around crane sites. Under the new rules, cranes will be ordered to stop operations and go into safety mode in wind speeds of 20 miles per hour or gusts of 30 mph. Previous standards were set at 30 mph and 40 mph, respectively. Additionally, when the weather forecast is predicting such wind speeds for the next workday, cranes must be secured the day before.

Under the new regulation, businesses and residents will be informed before cranes are installed or moved, as well as whenever a crane is being secured because of safety concerns. Uniformed personnel, including city police officers, will now be tasked with enforcing sidewalk and street closings near crane sites, a job previously left to construction crews.

In addition to the new protections, there will be a focused effort towards enforcement and oversight. This includes the hiring of 100 new inspectors and a more than quadrupling of some fines. Penalties for serious safety lapses will increase from a minimum of $2,400 to $10,000. Construction projects under ten stories will now require the presence of a construction superintendent. The penalty for lacking a construction superintendent will increase from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000.

Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Obtain Compensation for Those Injured in Crane Accidents

If you have been injured or suffered the wrongful death of a loved one in a serious construction site accident, our Philadelphia construction accident lawyers at DiTomaso Law can help. We work hard to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their negligence and that you receive the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled. Call us toll free at 800-367-5377 to schedule your free consultation or contact us online. We serve clients throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey regions.