The construction industry ranks highly in both the frequency and severity of accidents that occur in the workplace. This is understandable, as the industry is a leading employer that utilizes powerful machines to move great loads over heights and distances. Consideration of safety has become so essential, that regulatory bodies such as OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) have been established, and their policies enacted into law.
Construction equipment manufacturers are also aware of the potential damage that can be caused by the misuse/improper use of their utilities. They are required to meet several standards and issue user guides manuals with every equipment deployment. Despite these measures to ensure safety, some employers and workers still violate these policies and procedures, causing accidents with liability from human error.
Crane Accidents And Injuries
Mobile cranes are among the most widely utilized pieces of construction equipment utilized across the world. They are highly versatile, and their variety in type can satisfy any worksite’s demands. Unfortunately, their popularity also means that they suffer accidents while in use. With a breakdown of a few case studies, it will be possible to assess the causes, conditions, outcomes and preventative measures actionable against crane accidents.
1. April 7 2021: Fort Lauderdale
A mobile crane hit a high voltage overhead power line, causing explosions that damaged nearby vehicles and injuring one person.
Cause:
-
- Contact with the power line
Avoidance:
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- Ensure safe minimal working distance when operating near energized power lines.
- De-energize any current-carrying cables in the vicinity of the worksite.
2. June 8th 2021: Missouri
A signal person was fatally wounded from an injury to the back of his head from a detached part of the crane (ball and hook).
Cause:
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- Fault in crane mechanism
- Personnel present under the lift area during the lift
Avoidance:
-
- Clear the area under the crane during lifts to avoid damage to personnel or structures
- Properly train signal persons to apply their knowledge and prevent harm to themselves and others.
- Carry out an inspection of the mobile crane before every use, and a periodic thorough inspection –at least annually- to ensure proper crane operation.
3. February 5th, 2016, Tribeca, NY
One dead and three injured in a crane collapse in Lower Manhattan.
Cause:
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- The operator did not securely shut down the crane with high winds in the forecast. When he returned in the morning to lower the crane and secure it during the weather event, the crane collapsed.
Avoidance:
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- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for crane shutdown instructions for site conditions.
4. October 24, 2022, Longview, TX
Employee was killed while positioning outrigger pads when 1,250 lbs. blocks fell from the end of the boom and struck him in the head.
Cause:
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- Employee was under the load while the crane was in movement.
Avoidance:
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- The Signal person should have halted or not given the all-clear for the lift.
- Crane was not ready to be operated.
- Lift area was not clear – site supervisor – lift director not present
5. October 14th 2021: Beaumont, TX
Crane collapses on I-10 killing two brothers in their vehicle.
Cause:
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- Misconfigured the crane’s boom
- Miscalculated weight by nearly 5,000 lbs.
- Side pulled a load rather than lifting it straight-up.
Avoidance:
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- Crane operators exceeded the mobile crane limits, causing it to collapse.
- Did not clear the fall zone
- Emphasis on focusing on safety over task completion, a core component of mobile crane operator training.
Main Causes of Crane Accidents and How to Avoid Them
The accident cases above highlight some of the major causes of crane accidents. For quick reference on their awareness and avoidance, consult the table below:
|
ACCIDENT HAZARD |
HAZARD AVOIDANCE |
| Falls |
|
|
|
| Electrocution |
|
|
|
|
|
| Mobile Crane Malfunction |
|
|
|
| Human Error |
|
| Tip Overs/Collapse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Falling Loads |
|
|
|
| Struck-By/Pinned/Crushed |
|
| (by Mobile Crane or Loads) |
|
|
Training With TET For The Best Accident Prevention
As identified by OSHA, most accidents are caused by human error, attributed to not following protocols and recommendations for safe mobile crane operation. Fortunately, Total Equipment Training can help prevent you and your team from falling into this rut by providing up-to-date training for the entire mobile crane team, which includes:
TET is backed by a national network of experienced industry professionals who utilize OSHA-compliant programs for teams of various sizes and requirements. Reach out to the TET offices today for a consultation and to improve safety and efficiency in your worksites.
