New York Construction Accident Attorney – Construction worker falls to his death when scaffold breaks leaving 2 workers hovering in their harnesses 4 stories up.
Brooklyn, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – A middle-aged construction worker was on the roof of a Brooklyn apartment building, when he stood on a scaffold and fell four stories to his death below, announced the New York Times.
Officials reported the 42-year-old construction worker identified as Henry Siebor, of Brooklyn, was working alongside 3 other workers, when he fell to his death when the scaffold he was standing on collapsed. The two workers close in proximity to Siebor, hung by their harnesses 4 stories above the ground. The fourth worker remained on the second scaffold looking down at the dead construction worker.
The Brooklyn Fire Department firefighters quickly arrived to the scene to rescue the panicked hanging workers. Locals who witnessed the tragic death watched as rescue officials worked to pull the construction workers to safety through the apartment windows.The source of this fatal accident is not yet to be determined.
Officials believe that this accident occurred due to a definite machine malfunction while human misjudgment was also a contributing factor. Officials also state that the dead worker could have been wearing his harness incorrectly, as dictated by New York safety regulations. One of the construction managers on duty learned from the workers that the rig on the scaffold that Siebor was perched on was possibly not tied properly, reported a Building Department authority. It was then double checked by the manager.
Authorities reported that the cords attaching the scaffold to the structure broke beneath Siebor’s weight. The scaffold went flying back at the building, while Siebor fell to the pavement 4 stories down. Local businesses watched from their window as pedestrians looked on in horror at the scene.
Sources noted that Nova Restoration, the manufacturer of the scaffold, did not comment on the accident. Also noted was that this specific site had been unauthorized for construction work by the Building Department. Sources from the Building Department reported that the work site was given a cease-working command, and that tickets may be given for infringing upon the sentence. The information gathered in further investigation will decide if citations will be given.
Bridget Hom
NewYorkInjuryNews.com