Florida Crane Safety Coalition Wins in Federal Court

A ruling made last week in Miami, Fla., favors a crane safety coalition, representing several crane owner and contractor associations. Judge Ursula Ungaro ordered on Jan. 14 on behalf of United States District Court Southern District of Florida, a ‘permanent injunction’ against Miami-Dade County enforcing the illegal and dangerous crane ordinance enacted in March 2008. Previous to this ruling ‘the crane safety partners’ had successfully received a “temporary” injunction from the court.

The coalition consists of the regional Floridian chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors, the Construction Association of South Florida, and the Florida Crane Owners Council.

In addition Judge Ungaro granted the Crane Safety Coalition motion for “summary judgment”, in effect saying the arguments that the dangerous and illegal Miami-Dade ordinance is pre-empted by federal standards is so strong that a full trial and oral arguments are not necessary.

According to a press release on the FCOC’s website: “While immediately appealed by Miami-Dade County, the summary judgment ruling in our favor lends merit to the arguments of those in favor of crane safety.”

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