29.09.2013

Boom lift over in Albany

A boom lift overturned in Albany, New York, on Friday with two men in the platform. It is reported that it was set up on soft sloping ground and may well have been overloaded.

The lift, a Genie S-65 owned by Country True Value, was being used by two construction workers at the time to carry out roof repairs, neither was wearing a harness and lanyard.
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The lift was set up on soft sloping ground

As the lift went over one man was thrown from the platform and is said to be in serious condition, while the other managed to ride the machine down and walked away unharmed, refusing any medical attention. Both men are said to be in their mid to late 40s, and both refused to be identified.

According our correspondent: “The machine was set up on unstable, rain-dampened earth which undermined the machine’s stability. Neither of the two were able to produce documentation regarding any training to operate a piece of heavy machinery such as a boom lift. An investigation by both local police and OSHA officials is said to be pending.”
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The unit was recovered by a heavy wrecker truck

The unit was later recovered using a heavy duty wrecker truck - we have not so far been able to obtain a second source for this incident, which is unusual.