In the wake of two recent tower crane accidents that happened in New York City, which left 9 dead and 12 injured, various organizations in the construction industry convened on June 5 in Washington D.C. The speakers focused on addressing safety initiatives, standards and regulations.

Speakers included:

• Joel Dandrea from Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA)
  
• Graham Brent, executive director of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
  
• Nick Yaksich, vice president of global public policy at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
  
• Bill Smith, president of NationsBuilders Insurance Services Claims and Risk Management Services
  
• Frank Bardonaro, chairman of the SC&RA Tower Crane Task Force

The following are excerpts from the statements made at this meeting.

Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association

From the statement by Joel Dandrea, executive vice president of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA):

SC&RA is here today along with the leading organizations representing other aspects of our industry, to address concerns raised by the media and public about the safety of tower cranes.

Cranes, in general, play a vital role in the world economy and are frequently used in the energy industry, the development of critical infrastructure and in various aspects of commercial and residential construction. Tower cranes are a proven, reliable technology that have been used successfully in construction projects since the 1940s. Of the more than 3,000 tower cranes in North America, about 2,100 are in use on any given day. With a conservative estimate of 50 lifts daily per crane, more than 105,000 lifts are executed SAFELY every day.

To sustain this track record, we believe it is our responsibility to take an active and progressive role in establishing safe practices and standards for our industry and providing the information necessary for members and non-member companies to reduce workplace accidents and injuries. Some of our contributions to the safety of the crane industry include:

• The creation of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) in January of 1995 as an independent non-profit organization.
  
• After three months of preparation and planning, at our annual conference in April 2008, we formed the SC&RA Tower Crane Task Force. This group has taken on the responsibility of reviewing recent tower crane incidents and related issues that will enable the group to put forth a set of industry “best practices” to help prevent accidents and injuries in the future.
  
• SC&RA is a strong advocate for operator certification and the enforcement of unified standards. In fact, an SC&RA representative was among 23 individuals appointed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in July of 2003 to develop a recommended proposal for the Cranes and Derricks Construction Standard. This advisory committee known as C-DAC, worked together to negotiate all aspects of a new standard and submitted its recommendations to OSHA in July of 2004. The promulgation process has since languished within the Department of Labor, however SC&RA has remained committed to the establishment of nationwide operator certification and standards.
  
• The association also continues to produce new and updated training videos, manuals and other tools every year to ensure our industry operates as safely as possible. We also will be convening an international, World Crane & Transport Summit next October on crane and transportation safety to promote harmonization of standards, increase common understanding and promote acceptance of industry best practices.

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators

From the statement by Graham Brent, executive director of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO):

NCCCO’s mission was--and remains today--to provide a thorough, independent assessment of operator knowledge and skills and, thereby, to enhance lifting equipment safety, reduce workplace risk, improve performance records, stimulate training, and give due recognition to the professional skill of crane operation.

The industry representatives who participate in NCCCO activities represent such groups as: contractors, labor unions, rental firms, owners, steel erectors, manufacturers, construction firms, training consultants, and insurance companies. Since NCCCO began testing in April 1996, over 325,000 written and practical exams have been administered to more than 65,000 crane operators in all 50 states.

The success of the mobile crane program led to calls for an expansion of CCO certification into other areas. Tower crane operator certification was added in 2004 and overhead crane operator certification in 2005. This year will see the introduction of CCO certification for signalpersons (those individuals who provide hand and voice signals to crane operators), followed shortly thereafter by a certification program for riggers. Additional levels of certification of riggers will be available in 2009.

Also in 2009, NCCCO will begin certifying operators of articulating boom mobile cranes (or knucklebooms as they are also known). And NCCCO is currently in discussion with a state agency to develop written exams for crane inspectors, also known as certifiers.

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

From the statement by Nick Yaksich, vice president of global public policy at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM):

AEM and AEM member companies strongly support the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association’s (SC&RA) effort with its Tower Crane Task Force formed in April. While we represent companies that manufacture tower cranes, as is often the case with our diverse membership, these companies are actively represented on the SCRA Task Force. AEM stands ready to support the Task Force efforts because both associations are committed to improve safety throughout the industry.

The critical principles of tower crane safety apply to procedures we encourage for all products manufactured by our members. AEM member companies strongly advise and encourage:

• following manufacturer’s erection procedures;
  
• following manufacturer’s operating and maintenance instructions;
  
• performing all recommended and required inspections; and
  
• support training materials specific to the product and comprehensive training.

Next week, the International Standard Organization’s Technical Committee 96 on Cranes will be meeting in Malaysia. The majority of the crane types covered by ISO/TC96 and its subcommittees are manufactured for global markets and are used in the construction, manufacturing, processing and transportation industries wherever the safe lifting and moving of loads is required. AEM member company representatives are active participants in the United States Technical Advisory Group.

The progressive introduction of new International Standards and the regular review and if necessary, the revision of published standards by the Technical committee will eliminate technical barriers to trade and have a direct and positive effect on general safety by reducing potential hazards. AEM is an association that pursues alliances and partnerships as a critical part of its business strategy. AEM is deeply committed to do our part to make safety a top priority and supports the proactive efforts of the SC&RA Task Force.

NationsBuilders Insurance Services Claims and Risk Management Services

From the statement by Bill Smith, president of NationsBuilders Insurance Services Claims and Risk Management Services:

NBIS is in a unique position to assess accident data to determine if there are trends developing as well as to assess root causation. While I cannot speak today about the specifics of the recent accident in New York, I would like to offer some perspectives with regard to what NBIS considers a growing need for training and enhanced standards for safe crane operations. These two critically important subjects – training and standards – are at the heart of any discussions about the recent incident and any steps the industry can take to reduce the potential for future accidents.

While many crane operators have become certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, such certification is not uniformly required nationwide. Some states and municipalities have their own requirements. Some don’t have any requirements. Further, not all contractors demand that their operators adhere to the certification standards developed by the NCCCO.

This highlights even more the essential nature of professional training across the board.

It also points to a need for uniformity of standards nationwide. Our industry is, in my opinion very progressive with regard to regulations and standards. We have worked hard under the aegis of the Cranes and Derricks Advisory Committee (C-DAC) to develop a draft standard that would serve as the first significant update of the current OSHA standard originally adopted in the early 1970’s. As referenced in earlier remarks, OSHA has yet to act on our recommendation, though a number of positive steps have been taken.

Just within the last 24 hours, we have learned that the draft standard has moved from OSHA to a peer review panel, then to the Office of Management & Budget where we believe it will be subject to review for 30 – 90 days.

It cannot be overemphasized that the time for action is now. Quite frankly, there are companies currently operating that either do not know or are confused about current standards. The larger companies strive to adhere to the latest knowledge and apply best practices and the kind of comprehensive risk management systems I have described. But national uniformity of standards is essential and government must expedite the process. Today, you have before you the four leading organizations dedicated to crane safety and the advancement of best practices. Collectively, we agree that a renewed commitment to professional training at all levels of the construction industry is vital. Equally important is an enhanced effort on the part of government to update standards that can apply nationwide.

SC&RA Tower Crane Task Force

From the statement by Frank Bardonaro, chairman of the SC&RA Tower Crane Task Force:

This task force is addressing a range of issues related to crane and rigging safety. We are working with a broad range of professionals from our industry and related fields to ensure we fully consider all dimensions of the subject. We will continue to focus on the need for additional and specific training and a harmonization of standards that we believe will renew confidence in our technology, equipment and workforce.

Although recent tragedies have placed the tower crane industry to the center of attention, the fact is that the tower crane industry is among the safest types of construction equipment in the U.S.

A recent study conducted by the University of Tennessee and partially funded by OSHA indicated that during a recent seven year period, just 4.1% of all crane related fatalities were attributed to tower crane incidents. Please understand our target is zero accidents and injuries. We will continue to work as a coalition, with this team as well as Federal, local and state governments to improve safety performance throughout the construction industry.