The only person criminally prosecuted for the deadly collapse of a 200-ft tower crane in Manhattan was acquitted last week of all charges, but New York City’s sweeping safety reforms following the accident remain in place.
New York Supreme Court Judge Roger Hayes’ tersely worded verdict declared master rigger William Rapetti not guilty on a multitude of charges, including manslaughter and negligent homicide for his role in the collapse that killed seven and injured dozens more. But several regulations imposed by the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) in the wake of the collapse, including a ban on the use of nylon slings used to temporarily hold a crane’s collar to its mast during “jumping,” or extending, operations, still must be observed.