Safely deploying tower cranes on construction sites is critical to raise the pace of the project through higher productivity, however any non-compliance with the numerous safety regulations will have the opposite effect.
 

Safely deploying tower cranes on construction sites is critical to raise the pace of the project through higher productivity, however any non-compliance with the numerous safety regulations will have the opposite effect.

Brenden Crous, managing director of local Potain distributor Crane & Hoist Equipment SA, says that the company is well versed in all relevant safety regulations and can take as much of the administrative load as possible off its customers’ shoulders when it comes to lifting-related safety compliance.

“Erecting tower cranes requires competent and experienced crews who undertake the risks associated with this activity. One of our main priorities is to control the risks associated with working at height,” Crous says.

The company covers all bases with the necessary procedures and documentation, so that everything is on hand for inspection. This is very important as Crous highlights that should there be any significant gaps in compliance, then a Department of Labour inspector may consider a site shutdown, leading to costly and inconvenient delays.

“All areas of risk in relation to tower crane safety procedures must be identified, assessed and mitigated so that our customers are not exposed to that risk.”

Crous highlights the importance of the fall protection plan, which must be compiled by a competent person with the necessary training and experience. The plan must address all risks relating to working from a fall-risk position and provide procedures and methods that eliminate the risk of falling.

Tower cranes must comply with both the Driven Machinery regulations and the Construction regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). These stringent requirements demand compliance with a range of South African National Standards relating to the installation and maintenance of tower cranes.

Crane & Hoist Equipment SA facilitates these various procedures and permissions by employing qualified lifting machine inspectors, who themselves must be legally and professionally recognised in terms of their scope of expertise and operation.