We’ve written in this space before about the dangers to construction workers in a crane accident.
Here in New York, we know that when those giant towers collapse, the workers on and near the crane, as well those working in the vicinity are in immediate danger of sustaining severe injuries.
In densely populated areas, such as Manhattan, people who live and work in nearby buildings are also put in real danger by the presence of construction cranes.
That’s why we catch our breath every time we read of a crane accident anywhere. But a media report on a crane collapse last week in Michigan was much more positive than usual.
The crane was being used in construction at a county jail in Grand Rapids when it collapsed Friday morning. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt in the incident.
One construction worker was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries and a pair of jail trustees sustained injuries to their ears and eyes from falling glass.
The crane was used to lift concrete used to pour floors. It was the largest crane on the site.
It fell on a carport and garage, damaging a wall being built.
According to the media outlet, about 10 construction workers were in the area at the time of the collapse. However, a supervisor said that if the weather had been nicer, up to 100 workers could have been in that same area.
A contractor said a snapped cable caused the accident.
An investigation of the incident will include a thorough inspection of the crane and cable.
Source: WSBT: “Crane Collapses On Construction Site At Kent County Jail,” Carl Apple, Feb. 10, 2012