The crane operator at the Long Island City construction site where the machinery collapsed on Wednesday, injuring seven workers, has been suspended after investigations showed he attempted to lift a load more than double the capacity of the crane, officials said.
Paul Greer was temporarily banned from operations following the incident at 46-10 Center Blvd., where the crane collapsed at about 2:20 p.m. There were no fatalities.
Greer was attempting to life a load of 23,000 pounds, according to a statement released by Buildings Commissioner Robert Limandri.
“The preliminary investigation also shows that the operator was unable to see the materials being lifted and was attempting to lift those materials outside of the approved loading zone,” Limandri said.
The Department of Buildings issued a partial stop-work order on the day of the incident.
The lift belonged to New York Crane, the owner of the crane that collapsed in Manhattan in 2008, killing two people.
TF Cornerstone is developing a 23-story residential building on the site. The Department of Building issued a violation at the address on Oct. 25, 2012 for failing to safeguard all persons and property affected by the construction.
