A crane accident at a Dallas apartment complex on June 9, 2019 resulted in the death of one and five more people suffering injuries. As a result, some local Texas A&M students learned more about construction science safety practices.
How the Accident Occurred
The crane accident occurred during a storm with 70 mph winds when the crane tilted in the air at the construction and crashed into an apartment building that was across the street from the site. The damage was substantial, resulting in the destruction of several units. The parking lot was transformed into a pile of debris and twisted vehicles.
Responding rescue crews found a fatal victim inside one of the apartments. Two other people were seriously injured, two people suffered critical injuries and a fifth victim sustained a minor injury.
Making a Lesson Out of the Tragedy
In response to the recent accident, Texas A&M construction science students listened to a lecture about the hazards of operating cranes. She stated that the three major causes of crane accidents are operator, equipment and environmental factors. She explained the role that wind can play as a risk factor. The class also learned about other types of crane accidents.
Common Types of Crane Accidents
The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data collection on crane accidents revealed that there were 72 fatal crane-related accidents in that year, which includes all instances in which the primary or secondary source of the injury was a crane or when the person who was fatally injured was operating a crane. The most common types of workers involved in crane fatalities that year were construction laborers, electricians, welders, solderers, brazers, cutters and crane and tower operators. 6 workers died while working on highway, street or bridge construction. 26 workers died while working in the private construction industry. Manufacturing and mining were the next largest group of workers to be killed in these accidents.
The cranes most often involved in fatal accidents were truck and rail mounted cranes, mobile cranes and overhead cranes. OSHA’s analysis of crane accidents identified the major causes of crane accidents as the following:
- Crane contacted energized power lines
- The accident was caused by under the hook lifting device
- Falling objects
- Crane striking a person
- Overturned cranes
- Dropped loads
- Crushing accidents
- Falls
- Rigging failures
- Assembling or disassembling the crane incorrectly
- The load the crane was moving fell and hit a worker
Tips to Avoid Crane Accidents
Cranes are heavy objects that can cause serious injuries and even death. Accidents are more likely to occur if people are not properly trained to use the cranes, if the cranes are not inspected or if they are not used properly. However, there are ways to prevent these accidents. Workers and site managers can take the following steps to avoid crane accidents:
- Conduct a visual inspection of the equipment, site contentions and potential hazards
- Ensure that all workers are properly qualified and trained before operating a crane
- Insist that a designated and qualified person inspect cranes before use
- Place cranes on a firm, stable and level footing
- Fully deploy stabilizers
- Check the rigging
- Avoid unlocking or removing pins unless sections are secure, stable and blocked during the assembly or disassembly of the crane
- Do not operate a crane by overhead electric power lines and keep at least 10 feet away from all such lines
- Keep unnecessary workers away from the equipment and loads
- Do not lift loads beyond the maximum weight limits
- Keep loads low and avoid moving them over workers
- Keep the load secure
Contact a Lawyer for Assistance
If you were injured because of a crane accident, it is important that you discuss your legal options with a qualified personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys can discuss the specifics of your case and your avenues for potential compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
