The Safe Crane Campaign
The Safe Crane Campaign is an initiative instigated and administered by the UK construction industry to ensure that tower cranes on UK construction sites are safely erected, maintained, operated and dismantled. The Safe Crane Campaign has been developed by the Strategic Forum’s Health and Safety Tower Cranes Group. Members from across industry and government have pledged to make Health and Safety a primary commitment by personal example; by driving health and safety in their own organisation and by doing the same in the industry bodies they represent. The Tower Cranes group was created in August 2007, and key industry representatives have agreed to take action following several incidents involving tower cranes on UK construction sites. The group has produced a range of best practice guidance that it hopes will make a real improvements to the health and safety records within the tower crane sector.
In high winds, when not in use, tower cranes are left to "weathervane" to reduce the wind pressure exerted on them.
The Met Office provides a ‘tower-crane forecast service’ that gives mean and gust wind speeds (mph, at required heights), wind direction and weather forecasts to construction sites that use tower cranes. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Tower cranes are often attached to large concrete foundations which can weigh 182,000 kg (400,000 pounds). There are around 1500 cranes in the UK and, at any one time, around 1000 of these are in use.
The responsibilities outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations provide the framework under which cranes on construction sites must be operated.
If you would like a Safe Crane Campaign poster, or additional copies, please email posters@safecranes.org.uk
Working Groups were set up to look into each aspect of tower crane safety.
Their findings and best practice guidance are detailed below.
Tower Crane Operator Working Group
This group, made up of representatives from major contractors, the unions, the HSE, tower crane owners, tower crane suppliers and tower crane operators, looked at the issue of tower crane operators’ working conditions, and the impact this has on health and safety for the individual and others. The group produced a best practice guidance document, endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Construction that aims to improve tower crane operators’ working conditions in line with industry standards.
Tower crane operators carry out a vital and safety critical role on construction sites. This best practice guidance has been written for both tower crane operators and those in control of tower crane operations, from supply to site management. It seeks to provide an overview of the working conditions the industry expects to ensure the health and safety of operators and all those who may be affected by their operations. It covers issues such as rights and responsibilities; health issues, including fitness for task; working conditions, including hours of work, number of operatives, climbing conditions and welfare provision; and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Pocket-sized books will be provided to every tower crane operator in the UK, sponsored by CPCS.
Downloads
• Tower Crane Operator Best Practice Guidance Document
Competency Working Group
This group, with representatives from ConstructionSkills, contractors, construction professionals, house builders and the HSE, worked to produce guidance which clarifies the minimum qualifications and additional competency requirements for all those involved in the planning and use of tower cranes.
Tower cranes are used on construction sites because of their unparalleled ability to lift and move loads safely and efficiently over a wide area. However, this wide range of operation requires planning and coordination if the tower crane is to fulfil its role and maintain the high level of safety required. At all construction phases, the people involved must have the right combination of training, skills and experience to enable them to discharge their responsibilities in a competent and efficient manner. The aim of this document is to provide duty holders with information on minimum standards of competence, to help in their selection of personnel, and the assessment of relevant capabilities. The document sets out minimum qualifications and additional competencies for all personnel directly involved in the planning and use of tower cranes. The report is made in the context of the Leitch Review, and ConstructionSkills’ commitment to the Skills Pledge. As a result, formal qualifications are recommended wherever possible, and where a range of qualifications are available, the recommendation has been set at the higher level.
Downloads
Sharing Tower Crane Incidents/Near Hits
The group looking at this area collates information on both fatal and major incidents and near hit incidents (incidents which could have resulted in injury) and distributes key learning outcomes to the rest of the industry. Current incidents are below. If you are aware of an incident/near hit that you believe the industry could learn from, please email, in confidence: towercranes@thecc.org.uk
Downloads
Communicating with the Public – Safe Crane Campaign
A Safe Crane Campaign has been set up and is administered by the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The ‘Safe Crane Campaign’ poster will be on site hoardings where tower cranes are being used, clearly showing the contact information for the Site Manager and a link to this website. A member of the public can then read the information leaflet below on the safe use of tower cranes, and raise any queries they have with the Site Manager. here.
Considerate Constructors Scheme registered sites.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme will support the ‘Safe Crane Campaign’ by issuing campaign posters to all sites registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme where tower cranes will be used. The experienced Scheme Monitors will be able to assist Site Managers with any questions they may have by directing them to the most appropriate source of relevant information.
Non-Considerate Constructors Scheme Sites
The Construction Plant Hire Association will support the 'Safe Crane Campaign' by promoting the use of the posters on some of those construction sites not associated with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Tower crane rental companies have a key role to play in developing, adopting and disseminating best practice, and CPA will recommend to its members all the safety initiatives coming from the Forum. This will complement the Forum's own work in getting the message to the contractors.
Maintenance, Inspection and Thorough Examination Working Group
The consequences of any failure of a tower crane are likely to be extremely serious, with the potential for multiple fatalities. It is therefore extremely important that tower cranes are effectively maintained to ensure continued safe and efficient operation over time. This group, with representatives from the HSE, insurers and tower crane assessors, worked with the CPA’s Tower Crane Interest Group and assisted with the production of best practice guidance on the maintenance, inspection and examination of tower cranes.
Both the maintenance and thorough examination of tower cranes are required by law and the purpose of this Best Practice Guide is to set out, in clear and concise terms, both the requirements and Best Practice for meeting these requirements. The document is split into two sections – Maintenance and Thorough Examination, to emphasise that these are separate, although complimentary, activities. The Best Practice Guide is aimed primarily at tower crane owners, and those managing and carrying out the maintenance and thorough examination of tower cranes. The document will also be of help to other groups such as tower crane users.
Downloads
Erecting, Using and Dismantling Cranes and Inductions of Tower Crane Teams
The group looking at this aspect comprised representatives from major contractors, and tower crane suppliers and hirers, examined the issues of the use of tower cranes on site and site induction for tower crane teams. It has produced guidance that covers the complete site management structure that should be in place for the safe use of cranes from start to finish. It also includes advice on conducting site-specific induction for tower crane operators and teams.
The processes of erection, climbing or dismantling of a tower crane are probably the most safety critical stages during the time that a tower crane is on a particular site. This document gives stage-by-stage guidance to contractors and tower crane providers on the planning process, from the selection of the crane type, through the development of safe systems of erection to the final thorough examination and handover for use. The document includes a multi-stage checklist, to help ensure all relevant issues and actions are considered at the right time. A permit system has been included to help ensure that, ‘on the day’, all physical precautions are in place; that the erection team is competent and fully briefed on the safe system of work and that they have in their possession all the relevant technical information. The document also contains recommendations regarding special site inductions for tower crane erection, maintenance and operating teams.
Downloads
• The Planning & Liaison Process for the Erection, Climbing & Dismantling of Tower Cranes and The Site Induction of Tower Crane Teams
• Slinging - Best Practice
Details of Membership
There is wide industry representation within the group including representatives from contractors, ConstructionSkills, industry bodies, insurers, manufactures, crane operators and plant owners and hirers.
Downloads