WORKSAFE ACT is reminding the local construction industry of the need to be particularly vigilant when operating tower cranes, following three separate incidents this year involving cranes on building sites in the ACT.

These incidents involved the boom of a crane coming into contact with the hoisting ropes of another, two cranes colliding due to lack of communication between crane operators, and the boom of a crane being struck by the raised boom of a concrete truck.

A safety alert has been issued, particularly to reinforce the importance of good communication on site and having adequate collision avoidance systems in place.

Worksafe ACT will also be visiting individual sites over the coming month to ensure crane installations are safe and appropriate.

Worksafe ACT has advised that a number of very important safety measures must be in place when operating cranes. These include:

• the need for careful planning where multiple towers cranes are working closely together to avoid the possibility of contact or collision;
• implementing appropriate work systems and standards;
• providing the necessary training to ensure operators perform their role safely; and
• having a safe system of rules for communication.

Further information is available at act.gov.au/constructionsafety

[Photo by Jennifer C, attribution licence]