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As you learn the moment you drive through the city, Toronto has become a hub for major construction projects. But the construction boom has also had negative side effects, namely, crane collapses. The most recent incident took place on July 10 when an 18-foot-tall crane tower came crashing down on a residential condo building undergoing construction. Miraculously, nobody was killed. Regrettably, the crane collapse that occurred in Kelowna, BC, just 2 days later wasn’t a bloodless affair, with 5 workers losing their lives.
When cranes collapse, as they seem to do all too often, it’s typically the result of one or more OHS violations. So, the key to preventing such incidents is to ensure that crane use at your site complies with the OHS laws of your jurisdiction. While specifics vary, there are 6 basic OHS crane safety requirements, including ensuring that:
- The cranes you use are properly designed and constructed;
- The load rate capacity of the equipment is clearly displayed and scrupulously followed;
- Cranes, hoists and slings are properly inspected, tested, maintained and repaired;
- Proper log books and written records for each crane in use are maintained;
- All crane operators have the required training and, if necessary, certification; and
- Signaling, load calculation and other work procedures and systems are in place to ensure safe crane use.
