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.”
Contractors at the site of the construction accident, the Laurel, 400 East 67th Street at First Avenue, had been cited by city inspectors for 25 code violations during the last year, according to city officials.
Ten people have been killed in high-rise construction accidents since January, including seven who died on March 8 when a 200-foot crane collapsed at another East Side condominium project, demolishing a four-story town house on East 50th Street, prompting criticism of city safety rules and enforcement.
After several weeks of trial Phil Russotti obtained a verdict in excess of $18 million dollars on behalf of a 42 year old construction laborer and his wife. The laborer fell three stories from a defective scaffold.
At Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, we know victims of serious construction accident injuries are often hurting financially as well as physically. That's why we work on contingency, which means we don't take any fee unless and until we win your case. Call Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro today at (212) 986-7353 to set up a free meeting to discuss your case, your rights and your financial future.
