01-Case Study 1
This information comes
from a case I reviewed and is here to inform others of valuable information.
Things that need your attention when dealing with cranes.
This crane was working on a job site, on a
barge. Check out the load chart that was being utilized, as you can see the
load chart was for land based work.
This boom sold to a company as a 95' boom,
the inspection company that inspected the crane put in their reports as an
85' foot boom, further after the accident occurred, upon the investigation
by Federal OSHA, it was reported as a 90' boom.
Those of us that work in the industry know
how important it is to know exactly how many feet of boom is on your crane
for a safe lifting capacity, and to have the proper load chart for either
land based or water work.
The company that was operating this crane
on a barge was not sure of the size of the boom, using the incorrect load
chart fatigued, and stressed this crane's boom. When the crane was sold, the
company that purchased it used it on just a few picks before the boom
crumpled, fell on a person killing him.
The accredited inspector that inspected
this crane did a 45-minute to an hour inspection on it. He inspected this
crane year after year, and found the same deficiencies year after year.
While he did file an OSHA 72 report to Federal OSHA, Federal OSHA failed to
respond.
The inspector also affixed lettering of a
SWL of 16,400 tons at a 50' radius to the boom. First of all, no inspector
has the authority to do this, and without ever measuring the boom,
contributed to the accident that occurred.
In another case this same inspection
company inspected a crane on a barge, which also contained a land based load
chart, and in that case another person was hurt so badly he will remain a
cripple for life.
It is important to know through questioning
the inspectors you hire to inspect your cranes that they are qualified, and
to make them prove their ability to properly inspect your cranes.
There are schools out there that will train
a person to become an inspector in 3 days. I would be wary of the
qualifications of this type inspector.
You need to ask questions, and above all
you need proof of their ability.
The company that owned and operated the
crane before the sale of it was grossly negligent, and violated the federal
codes in operating and maintaining of this crane.
The crane operator, operated this crane
inconsistent with codes set forth by OSHA and ASMI 30.5.
The inspector, by the way he inspected the
crane was grossly negligent or under-qualified.
Don't let this be your company. Train your
operators, question and re-question the inspection companies you hire, and
follow all required regulations.
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