Cranes Involved in 82 Fatalities Every Year, How Can Accidents Be Prevented?
In Denver, a 156-foot, 155-ton crane recently collapsed in the River North district, mildly injuring a construction worker. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there was an average of 82 crane-related deaths between 1997 and 2006. Although no one was killed in the Denver incident, it highlights the danger faced by many construction workers.
The construction industry couldn't function without the operation of cranes, from mobile "cherry pickers" to massive industrial cranes. Not only is construction one of the most important trades in North America, it's also one of the most dangerous. And as the most visible piece of equipment at most construction sites, crane failures often receive the most media attention.
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