Forty-foot pipe crushes construction worker in New York

May 24, 2013

Last month, a 1,700 pound, 40-foot pipe at a construction site in upstate New York dislodged and crushed a worker. The young man was holding the guide rope when the pipe broke loose from the steel cables and fell eight feet, killing him.

Construction accidents are not uncommon and, too often, workers suffer serious injuries or die because of negligence, damaged equipment or unsafe working conditions. Building collapses can injure dozens of people at a time and certain types of work areas -- such as demolition sites, excavations and remodeling older buildings -- are more dangerous than others.

Common construction injuries

Many construction site accidents fall into just a handful of categories, making it relatively easy to know what to watch out for when on or near a worksite.
- Crushing: Crushing incidents range in severity from a crushed toe or finger to wrongful death. Loose clothing can catch on machinery and limbs can be caught while fixing jammed equipment. Improperly maintained equipment can breakdown and inadequately secured loads can shift, causing crushing accidents.
- Falls: Falls are the most common cause of death on construction sites and can easily occur when employees are working at high heights. Proper use of safety harnesses and other fall arrest equipment is vitally important but many falls occur from ladders and scaffolding that do not require such safety devices. Floor openings must be covered -- not concealed -- or clearly marked.
- Falling objects: Small falling objects can cause severe injuries to workers as well as pedestrians near worksites. Employees should wear hardhats but they do not help passersby and hardhats will not protect against larger objects. It is important to maintain adequate perimeter protection and to keep worksites clean of debris, tools and equipment that may fall and injure people.
- Moving vehicles or machinery: Collisions with vehicles cause many construction industry injuries. Failure to establish separate walking and driving paths for workers and pedestrians can have fatal results. Proper training and supervision of heavy equipment operators and other drivers is necessary. High visibility clothing and adequate lighting are also important at worksites.
- Trench or excavation collapse: Workers may suffer injuries when caught in collapsing trenches. Appropriate sloping, shoring, benching or shielding systems must be used wherever excavation work is involved. The benchmark is a five-foot or more depth but adverse weather conditions can cause instability even in smaller holes.
- Electrocution: Anytime electricity is involved, there is a danger of electrocution injuries. When working with cranes or other large pieces of equipment, care must be taken to avoid overhead lines. Wires can easily be exposed during excavation or remodeling work. Electrical tools must be properly maintained and grounded and care should be taken when using them near or over water.

Avoiding construction hazards

Although many accidents may appear unavoidable, there are a few ways to reduce the risk of injury:
- Identify and pay attention to possible hazards
- Consider possible risks on the worksite and draw attention to them
- Identify systems or best practices for risk and hazard avoidance and implement them
- Avoid fatigue by staying well-rested, avoiding long shifts and taking regular rest breaks

Seek legal counsel

If you or someone you love suffers an injury on or near a construction site, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney knowledgeable about construction accidents may be able to help you obtain compensation to which you are entitled.

Article provided by Law Offices Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, L.L.P.
Visit us at www.personalinjurylawyers-ny.net