High Rise Installations Pty Ltd

Incident description:

A worker was operating a crane that was positioned on level six of a building. The crane was to be used to lift a glass curtain wall panel into place on level five. Whilst moving the glass curtain the crane and panel fell. The crane, weighing about 750 kilograms, broke apart on impact leaving the body of the crane on the roof of the gantry and the jib and attachments falling onto Adelaide Street. The glass panel being lifted fell and shattered on an external walkway at level five which was attached to the building and located above the gantry. No person was injured.

WHSQ investigation findings:

The crane operator was interrupted while setting up the crane and consequently did not extend three vertical rams that should have been used to secure the crane between the concrete floor and ceiling. A forensic engineer examined the crane and found it did not have pressure gauges or other devices installed which would have indicated when the pressure applied to the hydraulics was insufficient to hold it in place under load, or devices to prevent collapse of the holding rams in the event of hydraulic pressure failure. It was also found the defendant had not implemented control measures to ensure the crane would not operate when not adequately locked into position.

Court result:

The defendant was found guilty and fined $15,000. The court took into account its previous good safety record, its co-operation with the investigation, the fact it made an early plea and the remedial steps taken in ordering no conviction be recorded.

Considerations for prevention:

Obligation holders should consider designing and implementing engineering controls that will prevent a crane from commencing a lift unless the jacking rams are adequately engaged and locked to support the weight of the crane and the panel being lifted.

Visit the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website for more information on:

• managing the risk from plant designed to move objects
• obligations which apply when modifying plant
• falling objects, and
• crane and hoist licensing requirements.