Barth Crane Inspections, LLC | Summerville, SC | (843) 871-8877
Stories? Videos? Photos?
Do you have an interesting crane story, photos or video that you would like to share? Please email us using our Contact Us form and we'll let you know how to contribute to CraneOperator.com.
The Barth Crane Network
Crane Safety
Tom Barth has dedicated his life to crane safety. A crane operator, inspector, trainer and accident investigator with 38 years in the industry, Tom is committed to helping operators and companies make their workplace safer. With his background in tower cranes, crawlers, truck cranes, harbor cranes and more, and working in some of the harshest conditions on the planet, he brings a unique combination of knowledge, skills and dedication to the field of crane safety.
SPECIALIZING IN
Accident Investigation
Accident Reconstruction
Expert Testimony
Crane Inspections
Tower Crane Inspections
OTHER SERVICES
Crane Operator Training
Safety Inspections
Load Testing
About Thomas Barth Crane Consultants
Tom Barth has spent 38 years "living, breathing and eating cranes", as an operator, accident investigator, inspector, consultant and expert witness. Early in his career, he developed an intense interest in improving crane safety and inititated and instructed advanced and intermediate crane classes for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302 in Palmer, Alaska.
Over the years, his experiences as a certified crane inspector, expert witness and accident investigator, reinforced his belief that additional guidelines were needed in the crane industry. He has written about crane safety, appeared on national television programs and lobbied for new rules and regulations that would improve the training and certification of crane operators, riggers, workers and supervisors.
Experience
- 38 years as an operator and inspector of cranes and crane operator instructor.
- 15 years as a crane accident investigator and expert witness.
- 13 years experience working cranes on the water, including off loading barges, jack-up platforms, general cargo and construction materials, pile driving, clamming and hook work.
- Operator experience on land includes working in Prudhoe Bay oilfield, setting steel, tilt ups, building trades, heavy picks, drag lining and using multiple cranes to make various heavy picks.
- Investigated more than 55 high-profile crane accidents.
- 13 years experience as Crane Inspector, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. C.F.R. Codes 1919
Certifications
- Certified by Associated General Contractors to teach the Professional Crane Operators Program
- OSHA Certified Outreach Trainer
- OSHA Certified for Mine training
- CDL Driver's License
Education
- Training Institute of Canada, Craning and Rigging course
- Manitowoc Crane Manufacturer, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- FMC Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- P&H Crane Manufacturer, Conway, South Carolina
- Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau, Orlando, Florida
- 1972 - Anchorage Community College, Structural Steel Welding
- 1960 - Anchorage West High School, graduate
Media: Articles and Appearances
- Crane Equipment Guide article "Crane Inspector Sounds Off on Safety Issues Facing the Industry"
- Crane Works Magazine, Sept/Oct 1999, "Landing an Offshore Job"
- Contractors Hotline Magazine, November 2003, "For Your Consideration"
- Contractor Tools and Supplies, March 2003 "No Two Lifts are Alike"
- Crane Works Magazine, May-June 2004 "Time to Regulate Inspectors"
- Crane Works Magazine, November-December 2004 "Don’t Let Technology Substitute For Thinking"
- Crane Works Magazine, June 2005 "Crane Training Lacking in U.S"
- MSNBC program "Heavy Metal-Big Rigs"
- Crane Works Magazine, "Safe Advice, A Commitment to Accident Prevention"
- Contractors Hot Line, August 3, 2007 "Waiting to see a Transformation"
- Crane Works Magazine, November/December 2005 "Crane Repair, Replacement, and Accidents"
- Modern Contractor Solutions, March 2008 "Tower Cranes Warrant Closer Look"