Consumer Law

In New York, Those Who Can?t Teach?Teach Crane-Safety

By Andy Hoffman

Every once in a while, we come upon a news story that makes us thank the civil justice gods for laws that help protect us from the lunacy and incompetence of others.  For example?

The front page of the New York Times is reporting today that in the wake of two fatal crane accidents last year, a new city-mandated crane-safety class for people who work around the dangerous machines is being taught by someone who?s admitted to helping unqualified people, including organized crime figures, get into his union and operate cranes throughout the city.  Even scarier, when asked by the Times why someone with such ?integrity problems? was being allowed to teach the class, New York City Building Department spokesman, Tony Sclafani replied, ?These are the people who perform this type of work.?

As you attempt to wrap your mind around that frightening notion?please join us in giving thanks that here in New York City, we are at least fortunate enough to have Labor Law §§240-241, which makes owners and contractors legally responsible for keeping scaffolding, ladders, flooring and elevators (among other things), safe for construction workers. Anyone who?s walked under one of those scary-looking scaffolds is happy for that law, too. 

Unfortunately, most localities are not so lucky.  Nevertheless, construction site safety is a huge issue in New York City and beyond?and today?s Times story could not make it more obvious that strong regulatory oversight combined with a strong civil justice system is essential in helping to keep us all safe.

Full post as published by ThePopTort on February 26, 2009 (boomark / email).