Construction is statistically one of the most dangerous industries. The orchestration of multiple, concurrent, tasks on a single site requires professional management and strict attention to safety standards. The Construction Safety Experts at Robson Forensic have worked at every level within the industry, from bricklayer on residential projects to project manager on multi-prime worksites. Our experts have done the work central to your case and can testify regarding the hazards, risks, and responsibilities in the construction industry. Common Casework Involves:
- Falls from Floors, Roof Openings, and Edges
- Ladders
- Scaffolds
- Trench Collapses
- Construction Equipment
- Cranes and Rigging
- Structural Collapses
- Worksite Security
The Construction Safety Experts at Robson Forensic bring to bear many years of hands-on construction experience and a working knowledge of applicable safety standards.
- OSHA Construction Fall Protection Reference Guide
Out of 4,114 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2011, 721 or 17.5% were in construction. The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls. These falls are preventable through proper planning, the use of the right equipment, and appropriately training employees. OSHA 1926.501 requires employees to be protected from falling at heights six feet or more above a lower level.
For your convenience the Civil Engineers at Robson Forensic have compiled the OSHA Fall Protection Reference Guide. This guide covers the construction fall protection standards that are most commonly cited in the course of our casework. View Full Article HERE
- Construction Site Electrical Shock - Expert Investigates Injury
A construction worker was injured while installing aluminum flashing on the exterior of a building. At the time of the incident he was working on scaffolding, approximately 22 feet above the ground, when the aluminum flashing he was maneuvering came into contact with a high-tension electrical utility wire. The construction worker was shocked and fell to the ground through an unguarded opening in the scaffolding. An electrical engineer from Robson Forensic was retained to determine if the contractor and/or general contractor caused, failed to prevent, or permitted conditions to exist at the worksite which were unreasonably dangerous in a manner which caused the injury. View Full Case HERE
- Construction Site Fall - Experts Reconstruct Construction Injury
A construction worker sustained multiple injuries resulting from a work site fall. The worker was found lying on the second story floor of a three story building. One of the issues in dispute regarded the location from where the worker fell. Robson Forensic was retained to determine if the construction worker’s injuries were consistent with him falling through the uncovered framed skylight on the roof and to address issues regarding construction site management standards of care. View Full Case HERE
- Trailer Unloading - Expert Investigates Construction Site Injury
A construction worker was knocked off a trailer and injured when he was assisting a co-worker unloading pipe from a flat bed trailer.
The opposing expert opined that a dangerous condition existed and that the injured worker was intentionally exposed to that condition. After reviewing depositions, appropriate standards and regulations, and a report by the opposing expert, our expert was able to show that the incident was caused by an inadvertent and unintentional action of a backhoe operator that occurred without any notice. There was no dangerous condition to which the worker was exposed. Our expert was able to show the incident was caused by the backhoe operator failing to stop the hoisting action when the slack had been removed from the load sling. Instead of just removing the slack, the load line was over-tensioned and the load was lifted prematurely before the worker could move out of the path of the load. The unexpected and premature load movement knocked the worker off the truck bed and injured him.
The case resolved favorably. The injured worker obtained a small settlement and the contractor avoided being saddled with an intentional tort action. The settlement was based upon the report prepared by our expert and his strong deposition. View Full Case HERE
- Demolition Injury - Expert Investigates Fall through Concrete Deck
A construction worker was injured when he fell through a weakened portion of concrete deck that had been partially demolished via a piece of hydro-demolition equipment.
After reviewing depositions, photographs, appropriate standards and regulations, and a report by an engineering consultant, our expert was able to show the general contractor and the prime subcontractor both failed to exercise reasonable care for the work being performed, specifically that the hydro-demolition subcontractor changed nozzle settings on the equipment. The changed settings caused excessive amounts of concrete to be removed and permitted the demolition work to be performed quicker. The change in nozzle setting by the subcontractor and the failure of the general contractor to control its subcontractor resulted in the dangerous conditions that caused the worker’s incident and injuries.
The case resolved favorably for the injured worker with both the general contractor and demolition subcontractor settling based on the report prepared by our expert. View Full Case HERE
- Heavy Rigging - Expert Engineered and Managed a Complex Rigging Operation
Brent Leisenring engineered and managed a complex heavy rigging operation in which a 120 foot long, 600,000 pound reactor vessel had to be moved from a barge, two miles into and through an operating oil refinery, picked up and rotated into a vertical position and set, within 1/8 of an inch accuracy, onto 12 anchor bolts on a concrete foundation pad-without the use of a crane to handle the vessel in the refinery. View Full Our Work HERE
- Roofer Injured: Fell Through Roof Decking, 20-30 feet, To the Floor Below
A roofer was injured when he fell through a panel of gypsum roof decking at a commercial facility. The scope of the roofers’ project included removal of the existing roofing membrane and installation of a new membrane. On the day of the incident, the plaintiff was carrying two full pails of “glue” across a section of roof that had recently been covered with new insulation; he broke through the insulation and decking and fell 20-30 feet to the floor below.
Our expert showed that the decking collapse occurred because the deteriorated decking, stripped of the existing membrane, was unable to support the reasonable, expected loads. The owner of the building and the director of operations, acting as the design professional and construction administrator on this project, knew or should have known, that areas of gypsum decking were deteriorated and unable to support anticipated loadings. The building owner’s failure to survey the existing roof deck prior to construction and map out areas of known deterioration, as well as have a qualified person inspect the deck during roof stripping operations, exposed the plaintiff and his fellow workers to inadequate structural decking and was a cause of his injury. Our expert substantiated his opinion through use of applicable building codes and roofing standards.
The case settled favorably following the deposition of our expert. View Full Our Work HERE
- Dust Fire - Expert Investigates Flash Fire Involving Oxyacetylene Torch
Ron Schaible investigated an incident involving a flash fire that occurred when combustible dust contacted the flame of an oxyacetylene torch. View Full Verdicts \ Settlement HERE
- Perception of Risk - Expert Article
This paper presents an overview of what risk is, its relationship to hazards, how it can be assessed and used to make intelligent business decisions, and how risk may be perceived by employers, workers, and those that help decide matters involving litigation – jurors. View Full Article HERE
- Robson Forensic Brochure
Robson Forensic has been providing high quality and professional forensic engineering, architectural, scientific and
investigative services throughout the United States since 1987. Robson Forensic provides expertise in a broad range of forensic and technical disciplines. View Full Mailer HERE
Leisenring, Brent R. P.E.Callagan, Brian K. P.E.Cowen, David C. AIAFournier, Stephen E. P.E., NCEESKlein, Michael D. P.E., CHMMMessineo, John R. P.E.Pestine, Gregory H. P.E.Smith, Daryl J. P.E.Winter, Les P.E.Zemeck, Edward J. P.E.Duckett, Mark R. P.E., S.I.Martin, William E. J. AIA, NCARBMeade, Alan P.E.O'Connor, Robert J. P.E.Preview All
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