Workers at the World Trade Center construction site had a close call earlier this month, when steel beams plummeted 40 stories to the ground below.
The New York construction accident happened when, according to CNN, there were three steel beams, each about 60 feet long, that toppled down to the area where workers were standing. It was reportedly a crane cable that snapped, causing the beams to fall.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident.
New York City construction accident attorneys know that in many instances, the term “accident” is used to imply that no one was at fault. While this situation remains under investigation, the fact is that most construction “accidents” could have been prevented if the proper procedures had been in place. Workers have an expectation that their employers will protect them from foreseeable dangers that are commonly present on construction sites, particularly in New York City, where workers are often working on sites such as this, which are dozens of stories high.
CNN is reporting that in this case, the beams – which weighed several tons each – came crashing down at one of the new towers that is being constructed at the place where the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred.
A spokesman for Tishman Construction, the company that is responsible for overseeing the development at the site, reports the crane cable somehow broke. That caused the steel that was being lifted to be thrown down about 40 stories (which equals roughly about 400 feet) onto a flatbed truck. It was the same truck that had been used to haul equipment to the site.
The dangerous episode happened inside an area of the site that was closed off to the public, and luckily, no workers were in the direct path of the falling debris.
The total height of the building under construction is about 72 stories (which equals about 720 feet, perhaps a bit more). It’s intended to face the site of the World Trade Center memorial park, which is being constructed to honor victims of the terrorist attacks. The plan is for the site to be opened to the public by next autumn.
Even Mayor Michael Bloomberg weighed in on the situation, saying he was grateful no one had been seriously injured by the beams.
The Tishman spokesman added that the company is looking into what happened, along with the help of authorities from the city fire department and Department of Buildings, as well as experts from the Port Authorities in New Jersey and New York.
Some work at the site has been suspended for now, until the results of the investigation are released.
It’s not yet clear whether the company had the appropriate safety measures in place. If it did, it will be interesting to see whether those were followed.
There are several steps construction employers must take in order to protect their employees. One of those includes developing a formal and adequate hazards protection plan. Each plan needs to be tailored to whatever the operation or project is.
At a minimum, employers need to have a safety orientation that describes where, how and when to report injuries. It also needs to show workers how to use any protective gear that may be required, identify any dangerous gases or chemicals that workers may encounter and outline a procedure for reporting unsafe practices.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York City construction accident, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call toll free at 1-877-313-ROSE(7673).
Additional Resources:
Steel beams fall 40 stories at WTC construction site; no one injured, From Logan Burruss, CNN
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