Accidents involving tower cranes, mobile cranes, and concrete pumps can have tragic consequences for workers and the public. In the past few years, there have been a number serious incidents and close calls.

Hazards relating to this type of equipment can include

• Struck-by injuries from moving equipment or dropped loads
• Electrocution from contact with overhead powerlines
• Crushing injuries from equipment overturning
• Falls from workers at height

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Prevention Priorities

In July and August of 2012, the MOL conducted an inspection blitz of hazards involving tower cranes, mobile cranes, and concrete pumps at Ontario construction sites. The MOL blitz focused on the following key priorities:

Equipment maintenance

• The equipment must be maintained as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Inspections and non-destructive testing must be performed (when required by the regulations) and records maintained.
• Maintenance reports and log books must be up-to-date.
• Structural components of the equipment must be working properly.
• Safety system indicators must be used and functioning properly.
• The hose extension on discharge lines of concrete pumps must be supported.
• Tower crane documentation, before and after erection, includes: a professional engineer’s design drawings for installation; verification that the crane was properly inspected prior to its first use and maintained afterwards; a review of log book entries to ensure operational functions such as limit and overload limit switches were properly tested.
• Mobile crane documentation includes a review of the operator log book and operator manual, and proof that the crane was properly inspected and maintained.

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Equipment operators

Equipment operators must have a certificate of qualification or record of training. Crane operators must be legally certified to operate a crane at a construction site. (Where required, crane operators may be in the process of being trained as an apprentice.) Equipment must not be overloaded. Equipment operation manuals must be readily available on site. Operators must follow the manufacturer's operating instructions. Operators must use safe rigging and hoisting practices.

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Site preparation

• The jobsite must be properly planned and laid out.
• Heavy equipment must be able to set up safely.
• There must be room for rescue vehicles to get access and egress in case of an emergency.
• There must be an emergency response plan and emergency procedures must be put into place.
• Ground conditions must be appropriate for the set up of the equipment.
• There must be an adequate foundation base for the equipment.
• Equipment must not be in close proximity to live overhead powerlines.
• The design drawings must meet regulatory requirements (e.g., confirmation that the bearing capacity of the outrigger support has been considered and is adequate to prevent overturning).

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Traffic control

• There must be an effective traffic control plan in place.
• Signallers must be properly trained.
• Traffic-related devices such as signs and delineators must be properly maintained.

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Safe access and fall prevention

• All fall hazards and access hazards must be properly addressed.
• Openings must have proper guardrails or protection.
• Workers must be given adequate access to equipment.

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External Resources

• Inspection Blitz Targets Crane Safety (MOL)
• Crane Safety Poster (MOL)
• Safety of Mobile Cranes in Construction (MOL)
• Safety of Tower Cranes in Construction (MOL)
• Alert: Crane Controls on Crane Trucks (MOL)
• Alert: Truck-Mounted Mobile Cranes (MOL)
• CSA Standard Z151-09: Concrete pumps and placing booms (CSA)

For more info about the results of the MOL blitz in 2012, visit the MOL website.

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Videos

• Tower Crane Safety (MOL)

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IHSA Resources

Training

Basics of Supervising Electrical Safety Hoisting and Rigging – Basic Safety Training Hydraulic Aerial Equipment Hydraulic Material – Handling Aerial Devices Incident Investigation and Reporting

Mobile Crane Operator 0–8 Ton* Occupational Health and Safety Act Traffic Control and Backing Vehicles Traffic Control – Temporary Work Zones Traffic Signal Workers – Safety and Awareness Working at Heights – Fundamentals of Fall Prevention

For more info on training for concrete pumps, contact the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Canada (RMCAO).

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Products

Cranes Cranes: Types, Components and Case Histories DVD Excavator Handsignals Card Hand Signals for Hoisting Operations Card Hand Signals for Hoisting Operations Sticker Hazard Awareness in Crane Operating Areas DVD Helicopter Lifting Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual International Hand Signals DVD Mobile Crane Log Mobile Crane Manual No Riders Decal Pendant Cranes Hand Signals Rigger’s Pocket Guide Rigging Manual Safety in Rigging DVD Series Slings Tower Crane Log

Heavy Equipment / Hoisting and Rigging Chain DVD Circle Your Vehicle Sticker Guidelines for Training Traffic Control Persons Handbook for Construction Traffic Control Persons Health and Safety Advisory: Quick Couplers IHSA/PSHSA Training Brochure Pile Driving Hand Signals Pre-trip Inspection for Lift Truck Pre-trip Inspection for School Bus Sticker Pre-trip Inspection for Truck Sticker Reeving DVD Rigging Hardware DVD Slings DVD Stay Clear of Heavy Equipment Poster Traffic Hand Signals Card Transportation Courses for the Construction Sector Transportation Courses for the Utility Sector Wear Your Seatbelt Poster Wire Rope DVD

Concrete Pumps

• Concrete Pumping Hand Signals
• Formwork Health and Safety Manual
• Health and Safety Advisory: Scleroderma
• IHSA Magazine Vol.10 Issue 3
• Ready Mix Driver Hand Signals

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Articles

Staging areas for concrete pumps Heavy-equipment attachments Safe setup of heavy equipment on site Traffic control: What you need to know Wind turbines (IHSA Magazine, Vol 13, Issue 1) MOL Blitz Results 2012 (IHSA Magazine, Vol 13, Issue 1)

Safe work on the road: Traffic protection Traffic control and young workers The signs of spring: Traffic protection MOL 2012-2013 inspection blitz schedule

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Health and Safety Manual

Download the following chapters from IHSA’s Construction Health and Safety Manual (M029):

• Backing Up
• High-visibility Clothing
• Traffic Control

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Safety Talks

Conducting a five-minute safety talk is hands-on way to remind workers that health and safety are important on the job and can help workers recognize and control hazards. Download these talks from IHSA’s Safety Talks (V005) manual:

Vehicles

Backing vehicles Safe setup of heavy equipment on site

Traffic control – Public roads 1 Traffic control – Public roads 2

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Rigging and Hoisting

Rigging hardware Wire rope – Inspection Wire rope – Cable clips

Hoisting signals – Basic rules Hoisting signals – Demonstration

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Working at Heights

Guardrails Fall protection – Basic types

3-point contact – Vehicles and equipment Suspended access equipment – Fall protection

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Electricity

Powerline contact

Underground utilities

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Health & Safety Policies and Procedures

Use the documents below as a guide to help you write or update your health and safety policy and program. (See also Safe work practices/safe job procedures.)

• Excavate Right of Ways
• Moving Vehicles and Equipment
• Traffic Control (Temporary Signage)
• Traffic Control Procedures
• Vehicles

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Heavy Equipment Hazards

Visit our Heavy Equipment Topic Page for more info about the dangers of working with heavy vehicles or equipment and links to resources that can help protect you and your co-workers.