Tower Crane Safety Alert

The HSE has issued a safety alert following the collapse of a tower crane jib in high winds. While the causes of the incident have not yet been fully established investigations so far suggest that problems with maintenance of the slew brake release mechanisms and the addition of accessories were contributing factors.

The safety alert reminds tower crane owners and users of some precautions and procedures that should be followed to ensure that risk of collapse or overturn in high wind is minimised. This includes the steps to be taken to ensure that tower crane slew brakes and their release mechanisms are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair and to ensure that the addition of accessories to the tower crane structure do not compromise the free slew characteristics of the jib such as to contribute to the potential for collapse.

The full safety alert and details of the steps to be taken can be found on the HSE’s website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/tower-crane-slew-brakes-release.htm