08:37 pm, Tuesday 23 February, 2010

A safety alert about crane operations has been released by WorkCover NSW as a warning to employers and employees who use mobile cranes at their work sites.

According to WorkCover CEO Lisa Hunt, 40 percent deaths involving mobile cranes are due to swinging or falling loads and unstable crane structure.

“These tragic incidents are due to unsafe slinging of crane loads, high winds, contact with power lines, cranes mounted on unstable ground, close proximity to trees and other causes,” she said.

“Incidents involving cranes can be prevented by taking all practicable steps to ensure that lifting loads are not exceeded, the crane is on a firm footing, loads are slung by a competent person and the crane is not operated at speeds that de-stable the load with abrupt stops.

“Cranes must be sited so that the operator always has optimum vision of the working area, persons must be kept away from the lifting area, and all cranes and slinging gear must be regularly inspected and maintained.”

The safety alert has coincided with a recent crane-related incident at Muswellbrook that WorkCover is investigating.

On February 20, a sling lifting a truck’s body broke. The chain shattered the operator’s cabin, causing injuries to the crane operator. The crane operator was later airlifted to a hospital.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know