Ensuring TX Worker Safety for those Working Under Loads lifted by Crane

U.S. OSHA has promulgated rules to ensure safety in the American workplace. State and local laws might supplement these to build greater safety under local working conditions.

When contractors are erecting large steel-framed structures, large construction cranes are necessary to hoist the heavy building loads and rig the steel structural members. But our Houston work injury attorneys well know that steel construction presents special worker hazards like the use of cranes to suspend loads over certain workers, hoist workers to the current work platform, and perform multiple lifts.

The following safety tips could help prevent worker injuries and deaths from working under hoisted or suspended loads:

• Routes for the suspended loads should be pre-planned in order to ensure that no worker has to work directly below a suspended load (except for those workers who must hook up or unhook the load, or work on the initial connection of the steel members).

• When workers work under suspended loads, the materials being hoisted should be rigged to avoid unintentional displacement.

• Hooks with self-closing safety latches or the like should be used to prevent parts from slipping out of the hook.

• A qualified rigger must rig loads.

This short list represents just the tip of the iceberg on proper safety precautions necessary to prevent worker injuries and death in the construction industry. Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States and Texas has seen more of it in the last few years than most other states.

Contact the Houston Work Injury Attorneys to Report Serious Injuries in a Construction Accident

At Denena Points, PC, we make ongoing efforts to work with state and local authorities to enhance workplace safety and to ensure that accident victims and their families get the compensation they deserve after a needless injury. In furtherance of these efforts, we urge you to contact us to report accident information if you’ve witnessed serious injuries or fatalities in the workplace. Our Houston work injury attorneys can be reached anytime through our online contact form or by calling 281-369-4363. We’re here to help; it’s what we do.