06.06.2007

Tower cranes entering EU should be inspected?

Delegates at yesterday's Crane Safety Conference in London unanimously agreed that CE approval for all tower cranes should be be subject to third party inspection.

The unanimous 'vote of hands' followed comments regarding the quality and safety of tower cranes being produced in low cost regions which at the moment can be CE marked and sold throughout Europe without an independent inspection.

Many thought that safety would be improved by having this inspection before the cranes were put into operation, rather than following an accident.

Most delegates - representing all areas of the crane industry including manufacturers, hirers, contractors and safety specialists - also agreed that there was not a direct correlation between the age of a crane and its condition.

The consensus of opinion was that a well maintained, good quality tower crane could remain working for more than 20 years whereas a similar hard working, unmaintained crane operating in harsh conditions might only last five years.