Published: 10/01/12
According to the HSE, in the nine years between 2001 and 2009 there were 61 accidents involving tower cranes, in which nine people died and 25 were seriously injured.
In April 2010, the Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations came into effect. These focus solely on persons responsible for the installation, operation and dismantling of tower cranes on construction sites.
This notification relates to the Thorough Examination of tower cranes carried out under the Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
Initial and Periodic
There are two types of Thorough Examination – and are important distinctions between them:
Initial Thorough Examination – is undertaken before use; is general to ensure that the crane has been installed correctly and is safe to operate. (Governed by regulation 9(2) of LOLER)
The initial Thorough Examination will include:
- The examination of safety-critical parts prior to and during installation that cannot in practice be examined once the installation is complete.
- Verification of factors such as the adequacy of the ground on which the crane is sited.
Periodic Thorough Examination – is undertaken as routine; is specific, to detect service-induced deterioration that is liable to result in dangerous situations. (Governed by regulation 9(3) of LOLER)
The competency of the person carrying out the initial Thorough Examination may need to be different from that of the person carrying out the periodic one. However both types of examination can be carried out by the same company, team or individual, as long as the differences in necessary competency are recognised.
Main Features of the Regulation
LOLER Thorough Examinations must be carried out:
- Following installation and reconfiguration (i.e. change in height or jib length)
- Periodically in service (generally at 6- or 12-month intervals)
- Following exceptional circumstances
The notification includes information about the crane’s location, who is responsible for it, and who is responsible for its Thorough Examination, as well as whether any defects posing imminent risk of serious injury are detected.
The HSE must be notified if the ‘before use’ Thorough Examination has not been completed within 14 days of the crane’s installation.
The HSE will keep a record of notifications in the form of a register and may be used by the HSE to target their site inspection activities in order to address a specific risk associated with tower cranes on construction sites. The register is also there to ensure that Thorough Examinations are performed and not allowed to go overdue.
Full details can be found on HSE publication INDG437.
Some of our insurers can be contracted to carry out Thorough Examinations – speak to our Commercial insurance Team on 0845 371 1452 for further information or help.
News Archive » |
