Platforms for Erection/Climbing

Is EN 14439 suitable as a tower crane
standard for global application?
Safety Advantages of global dialogue
for safer operations.
Presented by Brent Stacey
My Role
• Liaison Officer – Victorian Crane Association
• Position funded by Incolink
• Safety based role
• Member of Tower Crane Consultative Committee
• Previously worked as a Rigger & Crane Operator
Operating Favco 350, Gold Coast, 2000
Australian Standards
• Tower Crane use in Australia is primarily governed by
two standards:
• AS 1418 covers Crane Design parameters
• AS 2550 covers Safe Use of Cranes
• Historically the market has been dominated by diesel
powered luffing cranes manufactured by Favco Favelle Favco
Australian Standards
Favco Cranes in the 1960s
Tower Cranes in Melbourne, 2005
Australian Made Tower Cranes
• Favelle Favco are now a global crane company
• 1st major international project - 1968
• Eight Favco STD 2700s on World Trade Centre
• Since become the dominant crane brand on the
worlds highest of applications
• The highest tower crane used to date worldwide is the
Favelle M440D on Burj Khalifa at 820m.
Favco STD 2700, World Trade Centre, NYC
Favelle Favco Recovery Crane
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
EN 14439 Compliant Favelle Favcos
London 2010
Industry Changes
• Times are changing in the crane landscape in
Australia
• More European tower cranes in use than ever before
• Wide range of manufacturers represented
• Entry of Chinese manufactured tower cranes
Potain Cranes in Western Australia
Perth 2009
Comansa Crane in Victoria
Melbourne 2008
Potain MD 2200 Victoria
Melbourne 2008
Global Standardisation
• Why would Global Standardisation of requirements be
an advantage?
• Cranes could be shipped from factory to anywhere
• Modifications for local conditions eliminated
• Crane Owners and Hirers would have exposure to
larger potential rental markets
Example of World Cranes
Wolff Headquarters
Heilbronn, Germany
Wolff 355B Australia
European Standards (EN)
• Europe leads the way with co-operation of
standards/norms
• Open borders, improvements in modular components,
better transportability design
• EN 14439 was required for Europe
• Hard work of many resulted in a great document
Europe: Barrier Free Zone for Tower Cranes
Global Differences in Heavy Wind Events
• European high readings of
• 285 km/h – Wiebke, Switzerland
• 277 km/h – Cairngorm, Scotland
• Australian high reading of
• 408 km/h – Olivia, Western Australia
• Unique situations of weather in different locations
make application of one standard difficult
European Wind Zones
Zone C 50
≤ 180 km/h
Zone D 50
≤ 210 km/h
Zone E 50
≤ 235 km/h
Zone F
> 235 km/h
Zone C is the minimum figure applied
Australian Wind Zones
Region A1-A5 ≤ 147.6 km/h
Region B
147.7 to 172.8 km/h
Region C
172.9 to 212.4 km/h
Region D
212.5 to 262.8 km/h
Australia’s Coastal Population
• Europe’s population evenly spread across landmass
• 90% of Australians live within 120km of the coast
• Cyclone Tracy (1974)
• Destroyed over 70% of Darwin
• Resulted in 65 deaths
• Favco ram luffing tower crane rode out cyclonic winds
of more than 300 km/h
Favco 250 Survivor of Cyclone Tracy 1974
Applying a Global Standard
• Different conditions of wind exist globally
• Further dialogue required for comparisons
• Is the three second gust speed universally relevant?
• Difference between crane foundations
• Is Boom Float an issue that requires more thought?
Positive Points of EN 14439 for World Use
• Operator Comfort
• Platforms for erection/climbing
• Anemometers required above 30m height
• Ability for Anti Collision systems to be fitted
Platforms for Erection/Climbing
Installing deck on
Favco 1500,
Melbourne, 1987.
Platforms for Erection/Climbing
Reeving Bridle
on Favco 1500,
No fall protection.
Platforms for Erection/Climbing
Just plain crazy!
Riding the hook was
standard practice.
Platforms for Erection/Climbing
Correct use of Lanyards for boom slinging.
Platforms for Erection/Climbing
A Frame access caged.
Boom platform & handrail.
EN 14439 Examples
• Anemometer fitted to cranes higher than 30m
• Currently only recommended in Australian Standards
• Climatic control to bring temperature to 18 °
C within 30
minutes
EN 14439. Pathway to a Global Solution?
• EN 14439 is a wonderful example of co-operation
across the European tower crane industry
• A world standard taking into account local conditions
may be a future project
• Needs input from each global region
• Is the tower crane conference in London next May the
perfect opportunity to further discussions?
Global Training and Certicification
• How can programs already in place assist greater
levels of safety?
• Training of erectors/riggers should be universally
compatible if the cranes are all the same
• Victoria started a scheme almost 10 years ago after a
fatality during a crane climb
Correct Rigging Gear Must be Used
Are FSWR Slings the Best Option?
Incorrect Climbing Procedure
…can mean disaster
The Results Can Be Fatal
Safety and Procedure
• Erection design must
be sound.
• Cranes must not be
overloaded.
Favelle M310D
… showing travelling counterweights.
Preventable Incidents
• In 2001, a preventable death in our local industry
occurred whilst a crane was being jumped
• 20t of travelling counterweights fell onto a hoist
• It was an incident with no prior occurrence
• Wind conditions and Lack of Supervision were found
to be contributing factors
• Three charges and large fines were laid
M310D with Missing Counterweights
Counterweight Incident
Counterweights fell
from a crane onto an
Alimak lift car.
Counterweight Incident
The result of the 20t of
falling counterweights
was catastrophic.
Incident Fallout
• Following the incident, four immediate changes to
crane jumping procedures were regulated
• More changes were made as the cause was
discovered in more detail
• Changes to the counterweight securing devices were
made
• All Crane erectors/riggers to be deemed competent to
carry out their work
Competency Certification
• A wide ranging Industry group was established to
develop a certification program
• It’s working title is “The Gold Card” Scheme
• Covers a range of cranes used in Victoria
• Has separate categories for erection and jumping
Competency Certification Criteria
• All persons working on Tower Crane erections or
climbs/jumps must now be a Gold Card holder or
trainee
• Competency is measurable and verifiable
• Consists of practical and theoretical knowledge
• Prior knowledge and experience is recognised
• Is assessed by an independent third party
Gold Card Minimum Requirements
• Minimum levels of experience before any trainee
commencement
• General Industry Induction – Red Card
• Intermediate Riggers Licence for > 12 months
• Successful Completion of Height Safety Awareness
course that covers all aspects of body harness use
Red Card
Riggers & Crane Licence
Height Safety Awareness Certificate.
Accreditation Requirements
• Trainees keep a log book that is signed off by an
authorised Gold Card holder
• Recognition of prior learning exists and is catered for
by the program
• Minimum manning levels exist for certain procedures
• Trainee must be fully supervised
Gold Card
Advantages of the Gold Scheme
• The Gold Card Scheme works
• It is now culturally accepted as the Norm
• Administered by industry, to industry
• Satisfies Regulatory bodies and Unions as being a
verifiable way of knowing that crane erectors/riggers
know what they are doing
• Keeps “Cowboys” out of the industry
Operational Safety Zones (OSZ)
• Site Specific
• Excludes non required personnel from areas where
rigging or climbing is being undertaken
• Examples
• 12m for a climb
• 20m for crane erection
• Boom length for installation/removal
Examples of OSZs
56m OSZ for boom
installation
20m OSZ for crane erection
Success of an OSZ
… during commissioning incident.
CraneSafe Safety Improvement Program
• The CraneSafe program now covers tower cranes
• Has been hugely successful in mobile crane sector
• Volunteer program becoming more widespread to
meet third party inspection regulations in Australia
Cranes Must Be Maintained
…for continued safe use.
Successful Safety Initiative Sharing
Globally Successful Safety initiatives should be shared.
From;
• Design to purchase
• Erection to commissioning
• Climbing to dismantling
• Inspection & maintenance to re-erection
The Australian Crane Industry groups welcome further
discussion and advances
Questions & Closing
Question Time
Thank you