It may come as a surprise to many, but the number of crane accidents resulting in serious workplace injuries or fatalities is relatively high. Between 2003 and 2005, the average number of crane-related fatal occupational injuries was 78. In 2006 alone, there were 72 crane-related fatal occupational injuries.

The United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is looking to change these staggering statistics through the publication of a new rule governing the use of both derricks and cranes in the construction industry.

The new rule is designed to address the most common causes of crane-related fatal occupational injuries, including electrocution, collapses, overturns and assembly/disassembly accidents.

Specifically, it will do the following:

• Establish requirements for ground conditions and crane operator assessment
• Address tower crane hazards and the use of synthetic slings in disassembly/assembly work
• Provide both a functional description and examples of covered equipment in order to clarify the scope of regulation

"The significant number of fatalities associated with the use of cranes in construction led the Labor Department to undertake this rulemaking. After years of extensive research, consultation and negotiation with industry experts, this long overdue rule will address the leading causes of fatalities related to cranes and derricks," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

The previous rule dated all the way back to 1971, and was viewed by many in the construction and safety industries as obsolete. Technological advancements, updated practices and procedures, and new safety requirements were simply not accounted for by its 40-year-old standards.

"Compliance with the rule will prevent needless worker injuries and death, and provide protection for the public and property owners," said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA.

Stay tuned for more work injury news ... 

Related Resources:
  
• US Department of Labor's OSHA Publishes Final Rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction (United States Department of Labor)
• Crane-related Occupational Fatalities Fact Sheet - July 2008 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)