Minnesota construction workers who operate cranes must exercise great care not to cause damage to the crane itself or to surrounding property. While there are no uniform state or federal guidelines related to training crane operators, the equipment goes through periodic inspections. Furthermore, most crane operators on big job sites have gone through training programs offered the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.
According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration official, problems tend to be more frequent with smaller independent crane operators. These tend to be the people who take trees off of houses or similar jobs. However, it is important for all crane operators to keep safety in mind as it only takes one accident to cause serious damage or result in fatalities.
In one instance, an overloaded crane arm collapsed onto a street, crushed several cars and led to the deaths of four people. Those who have used or inspected cranes for many years say that most accidents occur because of human error as opposed to a defect with the crane. This is why major companies will require an individual to have NCCO certification, which is said to be akin to a driver’s license for operating such equipment.
Construction sites can be hazardous, and workplace injuries are unfortunately fairly frequent even when workplace safety guidelines are adhered to. Many workers who are injured on the job are eligible to file for benefits under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. These benefits can include partial wage replacement as well as the provision of medical care. An attorney can often be of assistance in ensuring that a claim is complete and timely filed.