NYC Buildings Department Issues Violation, Stop Work Order on Crane Operator

The New York City Buildings Department has issued a violation and a stop work order on April 25 after a cherry picker smashed into the side of an apartment building.

Jepol Construction, Inc. was given a violation by the agency for “failure to safeguard the site” after the hydraulic lift went into a sixth-floor window at 133 Essex Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. No injuries were reported.

At about 6:30 p.m., the FDNY received a call that a “manlift” (as described by Building Department officials) hit the side of the building. Witnesses saw the lift leaning on the façade of the building; the apparatus remained there for approximately one hour before firefighters were able to move it away before any more damage could be done. They also found two of the machine’s wheels eight inches off the ground; they placed wooden blocks underneath them to keep the crane level.

Although no one was injured and there was no structural damage to the building, the FDNY ordered residents living in the top two floors to evacuate the premises as a safety measure. Both the FDNY and Jepol Construction said this was a result of an equipment malfunction, not the fault of the operator.

If you have been injured in a construction accident as a worker or a passer-by, contact an experienced New York City personal injury attorney who can discuss your claim with you and advise you of your legal rights and remedies. Call Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP at (332) 244-3917.