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Best Source of Up-to-Date news on workers' compensation and disability in New York

Rigger Loses License after Fatal New York Worksite Accident

Posted on Aug 09, 2011

A New York man has lost his license after a 2008 crane accident killed seven people and injured others on a Manhattan worksite. William Rapetti was operating a crane in a residential neighborhood in March of 2008 when the crane fell. A tourist and six New York workers were killed at the worksite, a town house and other buildings were damaged, and pieces of the crane were reported to have been flung as far as a block away.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and building officials have stated that they believe the accident was caused by four nylon slings that the crew was using to fasten a steel collar around the crane. Allegedly, Rapetti used half of the straps needed, did not pad the straps, and used a sling that was obviously worn. When the strap broke, the 11,200-pound collar fell and destabilized the rig, breaking its tether to the building they were working on.

The Manhattan worksite accident has resulted in multiple court cases, including criminal charges for which Rapetti was cleared last year. During the license revocation, Administrative Law Judge John Spooner said, "It is clear that the various improprieties and shortcuts involved in (Rapetti's) rigging of the crane, as established by the evidence, constituted violations of law or rules. Such failure was the primary cause of the collapse."

Rapetti will no longer be able to operate a crane in the city or oversee the assembly of a crane. Additionally, the judge's finding in this case may affect the other lawsuits brought against Rapetti.

New York workplace accidents happen when you least expect, changing your life instantly. If you or a loved one has been injured on a Manhattan worksite, call your New York workers' compensation lawyers with Markhoff & Mittman at 914-946-1452 or 866-205-2415.