Construction site workers, pedestrians, and others were placed at serious risk when potentially deadly shards of glass rained down from the 56th floor of a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper under construction. According to the New York City Department of Buildings, which has launched an investigation into the serious mishap, the blades of glass fell from an incomplete building located at 111 West 57th Street.
Thus far, no one was reported injured as a result of the Manhattan construction site accident. The glass shard shower occurred while it was raining, leaving few people out and about. Representatives of the Buildings Department noted the rain likely was responsible for keeping a smaller number of people on sidewalks and at the worksite when the accident occurred, resulting in the fortunate lack of reported injuries.
Investigators from the Buildings Department visited the site the day following the highly dangerous construction site accident. They found that what technically is known as a glass curtain wall panel broke, the accident sending the shards of class downward to the worksite, sidewalk, and street below.
After making an initial inspection, the New York City Department of Buildings issued a stop work order for all construction work on the exterior of the skyscraper. The building safety agency has provided no indication as to how long the work stop order will remain in place.
Unfortunately, this is not the first recent incident involving hazardous debris showering down at this specific location. About six weeks before the Manhattan construction site accident at this building, debris of different types crashed onto the worksite, sidewalks, and streets below when a crane “headache ball” crashed into the side of the skyscraper being built. A headache ball is attached to what is known as a crane’s hoisting cable. A headache ball is utilized to attach different loads for lifting upwards at a high-rise building construction site.
Large debris hit the sidewalk below the building, seriously jeopardizing the safety of passersby. Luck was with pedestrians, workers and others in the aftermath of the October accident as well. No major injuries were reported after the crane accident at the same skyscraper.
Following the October Manhattan construction site accident, the Buildings Department issued a violation to the crane subcontractor for failing to operate the equipment in a safe manner. At that time, the Buildings Department issues a full-stop order at the site, which had been lifted some time before the November incident at the structure.
Falling objects and debris, like the glass showering down from the Manhattan skyscraper, represent some of the most commonplace types of construction site accidents. Falling objects and debris not only jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of workers at a construction site, but innocent passersby as well. Every year, women, men, and children are injured and even killed as the result of objects, debris, and materials negligently falling from a building under construction.
In addition to falling objects and debris being among the most common types of construction site accidents, there are nine other types of construction mishaps that result in serious injuries and deaths in the United States each year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, these are:
- Falls from scaffolding or higher levels
- Slips and fall
- Electrocutions
- Getting caught between objects, equipment, or materials
- Explosions and fires
- Overexertion
- Machinery accidents
- Vehicle accidents
- Trench collapses
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction site accident, The Doan Law Firm legal team is here to fight for you. You can connect with a construction accident lawyer from our firm any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, by calling (800) 349-0000.
A nationwide law firm, with 40 offices from coast to coast across the United States, we can schedule an initial consultation for you with a construction accident lawyer at a location convenient for you. We can also arrange a case evaluation with you at your home, the hospital, or even online. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm construction accident lawyer.
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