Personal Injury Law

Construction Worker Dies After Nylon Safety Strap Fails

According to the New York Times, Kevin Kelly, 25, of Bayside, Queens, died after falling several stories when a safety strap intended to connect him to the building on which he was working failed. Kelly was installing windows at a condominium tower that was under construction when he fell from the 23rd floor to a 14th floor balcony at about 10:30 A.M., on April 14th.

Patricia J. Lancaster, the city?s commissioner of buildings, said that Mr. Kelly?s construction fall accident remained under investigation. A full safety inspection is under way by building and forensic engineers, and a full stop work order is in force. Ms. Lancaster reported that, ?a failure of the safety strap connecting the worker to the concrete ceiling played a role.? Late Monday, the Buildings Department said the entire strap had pulled out of its steel and concrete mooring, and remained attached to his harness when he fell.

According to Ms. Lancaster the Buildings Department will investigate, ?the method the crews used to install safety straps throughout the building?. During a visit to the site, Ms. Lancaster further commented, ?We will be holding the individuals responsible for this terrible tragedy accountable,?-?Construction companies, owners, architects and engineers have to obey the law.?

Full post as published by New York Injury Talk Blog on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).