Christian Ginesi, a 25-year-old construction worker, died after falling down an elevator shaft at a construction site. He was working on building a midtown Manhattan luxury hotel. The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have the details of yet another New York City construction fatality here.
Ginesi was working on the 24th floor of the Riu Plaza Times Square, located at 301 W. 46th Street near bustling Times Square. He fell down an elevator shaft, plunging hundreds of feet to his death, according to authorities. His body was found in the cellar of the building where he was working. Mr. Ginesi was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan where he was pronounced dead.
This is yet another tragic loss of life for New York City’s construction industry. New York City has experienced one of its deadliest in the construction industry Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ginesi and those that loved him. An investigation is already underway to try to determine the cause of this accident.
The work at the hotel has previously faced scrutiny for unsafe work practices. There was a work stoppage in 2013 after a complaint about an unsafe work environment was investigated, revealing a litany of problems. The safety concerns back then included a failure to provide railings around unsafe floor openings.
The hotel property is reportedly owned by RIU Hotel & Resorts. The General Contractor is reportedly the Rinaldi Group. The work site can’t be convicted based on past incidents, but the 2013 violations could be similar to what this investigation may uncover.
What are we talking about here? Unsafe floor openings require railings to prevent people who are working nearby from inadvertently falling. Other fall protection devices that are required in areas like an unsafe floor opening include things like safety harnesses, yo-yos, lanyards and lifelines. These devices will require a tie off point that the devices can utilize, when attached to it, to prevent a dangerous fall and provide structural support. An elevator shaft is clearly a dangerous, potentially fatal opening for workers who are required to labor in nearby areas. The elevator shaft should be properly safeguarded during the work and appropriate fall protection devices must be available and used.
We will be following how the investigation into Christian Ginesi’s death unfolds. Regardless of the outcome, friends and family will mourn what sounds like a senseless loss.
Block O’Toole & Murphy is a law firm that takes pride in fighting for construction workers and their families. You can learn more about this firm and their track record fighting for injured workers by reviewing the firm website atwww.blockotoole.com.