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On a construction site, it takes a mistake, a distraction, or an unfortunate moment to cause a problem. When dealing with a large piece of equipment like a crane, this problem can lead to disaster.
In a global report, nearly half of tower crane accidents (42%) were due to an assembly, disassembly or climbing error; 27 percent were during operation; 13 percent due to operating errors; and ten percent based on Mother Nature (Tower Crane Support).
In the same study, it was found that most errors occurred when the manufacturer’s instructions were not followed. The next cause of failure were foundation and structural defects or electrical and mechanical faults.
© Semyon Salivanchuk – stock.adobe
When a crane collapses, the occupants in the area are at risk – ground workers, operators and other construction site personnel. It gets more complicated when construction sites are in public areas such as cities. A crane collapse could result in the injury or death of an innocent civilian.
According to the study, most mistakes can be prevented with certain necessary safeguards – an initiative that has several proponents in the industry. It is important to recognize that safety is in the hands of the workers and contractors to ensure that protocol and safety precautions do not lead to building collapses.
The recent crane collapse could have an impact on society
Early last month, on June 3, a crane collapsed in Taiwan, injuring one of them while two engineers were trapped in its handle. The incident occurred when a container ship with a gross tonnage of 86,679 hit a crane, causing it to crash and seriously damage another crane.
This maritime disaster, while avoiding a fatality, has potential social implications. The Supply & Demand Chain Executive is currently closely monitoring the potential disruptions that could arise in the supply chain industry.
Crane collapses in 2021:
Crane collapses in 2020:
* Lists do not contain all crane break-ins in the specified years. List included to present real-life scenarios.
© Fortish – stock.adobe
Avoid crane collapse
There are a variety of causes for crane break-ins – many are related to human missteps, some to malfunctions, and some to environmental factors. In most cases, however, crane break-ins can be avoided.
The Occupational Safety and Health Agency is constantly updating protocols based on best practices and basic safety precautions. Before entering a construction site, workers must be trained to inspect, operate, and operate large equipment.
A good education can make the difference between life and death on a construction site. However, it is the duty of those involved – workers, supervisors, and construction companies – to ensure that those on the job site can go home at the end of the day.
Read more: What should a crane operator look out for on a construction site? | For construction professionals
OSHA responds with heavy fines
In 2020, from January to mid-October, OSHA issued 1,307 citations, according to the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.
This information was obtained from OSHA during Dec.the Annual industry forum. These quotes covered a range of violations including inspection, signaling personnel qualification, power line safety, keeping loads clear, operation and assembly and disassembly – among other.
These quotes are meant to be a firm reminder that protocols need to be implemented to ensure crane break-ins do not occur on the job site.
In this part of the forest, a simple misstep could mean the end of a life.
