Crane business

The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has launched a new voluntary accident reporting scheme. The move follows a survey of its members last year regarding the need for better and more readily available industry statistics on crane accidents.

Dawes’ Grove GMK 6350 all terrain crane (capacity 350 tons) was positioned in a parking lot outside the stadium for what is known as a “blind pick,” meaning the crane operator could not see the lift spot over the stadium structure. The crane, outfitted with a 196-foot boom and 62-foot jib, had to clear the 140-foot-tall center field roof of the stadium and reach 50 feet inside to the lift area, relying on riggers and the signalperson/flagger to guide the pick.

A four axle All Terrain crane tipped over and trapped the operator yesterday at an old phosphate plant in north Manatee County, Florida.

Multiquip will launch the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered lighting tower at the World of Concrete exhibition, being held in Las Vegas on 18-21 January. The company said it is the first of a series of fuel cell powered products that it will launch.

Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has launched a free mobile app to access crane hand signals. Signals are shown graphically and all are available in English and Spanish. They comply with the new OSHA Cranes and Derricks Standard, Appendix A to Subpart CC of Part 1926-Standard Hand Signals, SC&RA said.

A crane working on the Kaw Lake dam in north central Oklahoma tipped over the edge into the water yesterday. The operator managed to exit his cab before the crane went over.

Manitowoc’s stand will feature its new MC 125 Potain top-slewing tower crane which replaces the MC 115 B. Also on display will be the Igo 32 self-erecting tower crane.

A six axle All Terrain crane went over at the Orica Chemicals refinery at Kooragang Island, near Newcastle New South Wales, late last week, after one of its outriggers punched through the ground into some sort of void.

The crane, a Demag owned by rental company Kran & Shakt had set up with full boom and extensions on a project close to the city’s Central Station to lift glass panels into place on a new building being constructed by Peab.

The fatal crane accident near Hobart, Tasmania earlier today was a road accident involving an articulated pick and carry crane.