The construction industry’s ability to mitigate hazards will be improved by embracing the latest technological innovations.
The recommendations in the 2016 Crane Technical Working Group Report identify “…a unique opportunity to fundamentally improve crane safety in New York City.” Further, the report highlights the continuous evolution of technological advances and best practices, enabling cranes to expand in reach and increase in specialization. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) “…ability to regulate the crane industry, and the industry’s ability to mitigate hazards, will be improved by embracing the latest technological innovations.”
To improve crane safety and prevent future accidents, the Crane Technical Working Group makes 23 recommendations, divided into four topical areas of technology, standards, accountability, training, and licensing. “Using the latest technology” is the first topical area. Lagging in adoption of new technology, current operations and oversight of the crane industry are paper dependent, “…creating missed opportunities for recording and reviewing crane activities.”
Seven recommendations in the topical area of “using the latest technology” include:
- Data loggers
- GPS tracking
- Electronic record keeping
- Anemometers
- Pinpoint forecasting
- Age limit
- Self-erecting tower cranes
4. Anemometers: the Crane Technical Working Group recommends that the New York City Department of Buildings mandate that cranes operating in New York City be equipped with an anemometer, enabling the crane to measure wind speeds and wind gusts at the jobsite. Further, the Crane Technical Working Group warns that wind conditions reported by the National Weather Service (NWS), at surface weather observation stations and at airport weather stations, can differ significantly from hyper-local wind conditions at the construction jobsite, misleading project stakeholders.
(Source: 2016 Crane Technical Working Group Report)
More in the next blog about crane safety, weather events, weather risk, and the New York City Crane Safety Technical Working Group…