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Preventing Elevator Shaft Accidents

Elevator shaft accidents can have devastating consequences for construction workers and are also one of the most preventable types of construction site accidents that commonly occur.

The majority of elevator shaft accidents occur because of 2 basic forms of neglect: lack of proper barricading in front of an open elevator shaft and lack of warning (such as signage). Both of these elevator shaft safety precautions are required by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), along with requirements that call for personal safety equipment such as: 

• Safety harnesses;
• Safety nets;
• Standard railings; and/or
• Other similar safety equipment chosen based on the specific dimensions of the elevator shaft. 

Most elevator shaft accidents include falls, which can have a variety of serious or fatal consequences. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and broken bones are all typical injuries when a person has fallen down an open elevator shaft. Unfortunately, the size and depth of an elevator shaft also makes rescue efforts problematic.

Many times, serious injuries become fatal injuries because of the time it takes to rescue an injured person trapped at the bottom of an elevator shaft, or the movement required to free that person worsens the injury.

You can learn more about elevator shaft accidents and injuries by visiting our article library. 

Contacting a Houston Construction Accident Attorney

If you are facing serious or permanent injuries following a Texas construction accident, you need the legal expertise of an experienced Houston construction accident attorney to help you fight for fair compensation. Contact the law offices of Steven Lee, P.C. today at 713-921-4171 or 1-800-232-3711. Help is available 24 hours a day and the initial consultation is always FREE. We are also able to provide transportation options as well as home and hospital visits.