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Singapore Task Force publishes results of crane incident study
The Singapore National Crane Safety Taskforce has published the results of an analysis of crane incidents.
The taskforce was chaired by Tan Wee Seng, managing director of Bovis Lend Lease Pte Ltd and examined 40 cases classified by four key causes - Management, Man, Machine and Medium.
- Management: inadequacies were found to be the most significant factor in over 62% of the incidents. Lack of proper site assessment, inadequate crane inspection, failure to establish safe procedures, inadequate training and ineffective supervision were included in the factors identified;
- Man: human error was a contributing factor in 57% of the cases involving failure to follow rules, including bypassing of limit switches, ignoring warning alarms, failures to check load charts and the lack of knowledge of the load;
- Machine: 35% involved equipment failure particularly ropes and limit switches and;
- Medium: 23% concerned ground conditions or failure to use outrigger mats.
A three part strategy is recommended by the Taskforce to improve crane safety in Singapore involving: training, engagement of senior managers and updated codes of practice. The Taskforce will also explore new technology to enhance crane safety.