ARE THERE ANY POSSIBLE HEALTH RELATED RISKS POSED BY CRANES?
Yes. Data released into the public domain by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on July 30, 2008, reveals that in 2006, there were 72 crane-related, occupational fatal injuries in the United States – which was slightly down on the yearly average of 78 for the period from 2003 to 2005. Throughout 2006, there were no multiple-fatality accidents involving cranes in the U.S.; however, in 2005 there were 6 such deaths, and in 2004 the figure was 4. In the same year, no less than 30 crane-related deaths resulted from individuals being struck by objects falling from cranes – and, in the case of 9 individuals, being struck by the crane itself. Of the particular types of crane that were identified in these specific cases, mobile, truck, rail-mounted, and overhead- cranes were involved in the majority of fatalities. During that same time frame, the number of fatal injuries suffered by other workers in crane-related situations was 10 for construction laborers; 8 for electricians, and for welder
