How Common Are Crane Accidents?

Understanding the Risks While Working With Cranes

Since 2011, more than 40 crane-related deaths have occurred each year on job sites around the country. Regardless of safety measures being taken and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines being stricter than ever before, there are still concerns surrounding the general safety of working not only in a construction zone but adjacent to areas where cranes and other heavy machinery are being operated. Here’s what you need to know.

How Crane Accidents Happen

More than 16 fatal injuries involving cranes happen each year in Florida alone, making the state the second-highest contributor to these instances in the country, just behind Texas. Although the data is limited on state-by-state fatal injury circumstances, statistically, in these 40+ that occur each year, nearly half of all injuries resulted from a worker being struck by the equipment. The rest usually fall within one of these demographics:

• 22% were operating the crane when the fatal injury occurred
• 23% were engaging in construction activities such as assembling or dismantling
• 6% were in dockyard-related activity

Going further to break it down by industry, these are some of the most at-risk jobs for fatal injury caused by cranes:

• 43% occur in the private construction industry through general construction or excavation jobs
• 24% are from manufacturing jobs
• 33% involve the transportation industry

Why Florida Construction Workers are at High Risk

Considering that significant data shows that construction-related activities account for the most crane-related fatal injuries, it is understandable that Florida ranks highly, as thousands of jobs are added to this sector each year in the state - resulting in a 63% growth in industry employment from 2018-2019.

Injured in a Construction Accident? Contact Us Today.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crane-related injury or fatality, we are here to help. Our legal team will work with you and your family to secure your rights and help you gain the maxium compensation that you deserve.

Contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. today at (888) 499-6206 for a free consultation to discuss your options.