The New York Department of Buildings is likely to issue citations to a demolition contractor after scaffolding at a site collapsed on a bus, injuring at least 17 people.
The accident occurred in Harlem, when the city bus was stopped in front of a building with scaffolding. According to witnesses, the scaffolding suddenly collapsed on top of the bus. Seventeen people, including passengers, bystanders and construction workers suffered injuries. Eight of the injured were passengers, and two were police officers. Fortunately, most of these injuries were minor.
The scaffolding had been erected on a building where an elevator shaft was being constructed. Early information seems to suggest that the scaffolding collapsed because of bricks that fell on the scaffolding. The New York Department of Buildings has already acted by stopping work on the site immediately. The Department of Buildings will also soon issue citations to the contractor involved.
That no construction workers were seriously injured in this accident is a matter of good luck, and nothing else. This is an accident that could have resulted in serious injuries. Every year, hundreds of workers are seriously injured or killed in scaffolding collapses nationwide. Workers involved in a scaffolding collapse could suffer serious injuries, including head and spinal cord injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established guidelines governing the construction and installation of scaffolding. Scaffolding that has been constructed and installed as per Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines should include stable work platforms. Scaffolding components, like frames must be strong enough to withstand the weight of workers and tools.
The New York construction accident lawyers at Godosky and Gentile have extensive experience representing construction workers injured in accidents in New York. If you have been injured in a construction accident, contact a competent and experienced New York construction accident attorney at Godosky and Gentile for a free consultation.