15.03.2016

New York to revert to normal crane rules

New York city looks set to drop its new tougher rules for crawler cranes working in the city and revert to the previous ones.

Shortly after the larger crane overturned on February 5th, the Department of Buildings announced that all crawler cranes must be safely stowed whenever winds of 20 mph (8.9 m/s) are reached. However contractors began complaining that the rule was impractical See New York crane rules affecting construction .

A working group reviewing the city’s crane rules has now suggested lifting that ban and going back to the former rules. With cranes having to stop working when winds reached 30 miles an hour or according to a manufacturer’s specification. Construction firms, crane companies and workers said the new rules were not making things safer and the constant stopping was hurting business.

The working group is also proposing that an operator remain on site for crawler cranes unless it can operate in 30 miles an hour winds. It has also recommended banning them from being used in public areas unless they can safely operate in 20 mile an hour winds.