Construction Safety - Crane Safety & Inspection
Posted by
Megan RothJuly 08, 2008 1:35 PMWe all know it: we're living in an era of globalization and expansion. As such, high-rise construction projects are occuringall over the country; we see them as apartment buildings in the city, they occur as resorts on thebeach, and now they're even placing condominiums in our small, Midwest towns.
Each of the aforementioned projects is made possible using one handy piece of machinery: the crane. This heavy duty transportation device makes it possible for construction crews to move large, heavy loads quickly and efficiently and speeds the construction process by drastic measures. And though the machines make such moves look simple and quick, they actually require much more in the way of safetyand securitythan one would think.
Operating a crane can be downright dangerous and certain safety issues must be considered each and every time such a device is used.
OSHA has set and imposed certain standards in relation to crane operation and user safety; however, these standards don't necessarily ensure that an accident won't occur. Regardless of how concientious a crane operator is when connecting a load, a crane can easily become unbalanced upon lifting and may even collapse under the weight of an excessive load.
There have been numerous incidentsinvolving crane collapses around the world; however, one recent occurence has sparked major debate and has safety investigators around the nation in a frenzy. This pastMarch a crane collapsed in New York City, killing seven and injuring numerous others. Some blame the lack of braces for the collapse and claim the crane was visably unstable, while investigators point to a strap that failed during the hoist of a six-ton piece of steel.
Regardless of the cause, the recent incident hasresulted inintense crane investigation by NYC's Department of Buildings, and other organizations are following suit. In addition, there are businesses dedicated solely to inspecting cranes and ensuring that the devices are up to par in terms of meeting safety requirements (as set by OSHA and crane manufacturers).