02:03 pm, Thursday 29 November, 2012

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

WorkCover NSW is calling for a special crane industry roundtable discussion next Tuesday in the wake of the crane collapse at inner Sydney’s construction site. Read SafetyCulture report

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said the outcome could have been tragic, and had put the safety spotlight firmly on the crane industry.

“I would urge all contractors across NSW to check the state of tower cranes and related machinery and ensure they are compliant with WH&S legislation in the wake of Tuesday’s serious workplace incident,” said Mr Watson.

“Tower cranes are potentially hazardous plant machinery and are covered by special legislative requirements in relation to their design and registration, major inspections and record-keeping.

“Standard inspections before cranes are erected include a check for leakage in lines, tanks, valves, pumps and other parts of air systems or hydraulic systems. The same checks are conducted a second time during commissioning inspections once the crane is operational.

“Contractors must by law ensure that cranes and other plant machinery are safe and do not present a risk to persons using it or who may otherwise be exposed to its use.”

WorkCover inspectors are currently conducting a thorough investigation of how the crane caught fire and collapsed on Tuesday, 27 November.

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11:20 am, Tuesday 3 July, 2012

The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has recently launched its latest safety training CD, ‘Dogging in the Workplace.’

In a news release, CICA revealed that they have been consulting with industry since last year to develop the new safety training material.

“I am quite excited with the release of this new CD,” said CICA Chief Executive Officer, Alan Marshall. “In late May we launched the new CICA website and a few weeks later we have this new safety product launch, which is another positive achievement for our industry.”

The CD has been developed by CICA Member Stephen Holmes of GTK Training. The CD Roms are designed to be used in-house for individual, self-paced operator training and assessment and are funded by CICA’s CraneSafe program. The ‘Dogging in the Workplace’ CD includes the team work involved, hazards and ways to managing them with focus on Safe Work Method Statements. It comes with an electronic training manual and an assessment section.

Mr Marshall also said they are preparing for the CICA Conference, Exhibition and Crane Display.

“This year the industry show-case event is taking place in Adelaide, 5-7 September, along with the CICA AGM, the Industry Forum, and the 2012 Lift of the Year Awards. In addition, we have the CICA Major Inspection Verification Plate Initiative, the One Association Project and with the new Crane Code of Practice draft now released by Safe Work Australia, so the industry has a lot to talk about,” said Mr Marshall.

“For any assistance or to inquire about membership, contact the CICA Office or your local State Association.”

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