Crane drops 32 tonnes of concrete

An investigation is underway after a crane failure resulted in a 32-tonne precast concrete structure falling to the ground.

The incident is alleged to have occurred while the structure was being lifted by two cranes at a factory in Dandenong.

It was reported that the structure fell to the ground when a gantry crane being used in the lift failed. There were no injuries.

The serious nature of the incident has prompted WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director of Health and Safety Marnie Williams to issue a warning to employers about the importance of crane safety.

“We are thankful there were no injuries, but it is a stark reminder to every employer that uses a crane to manage all the risks and ensure safety is a priority,” Williams said.

“Because inquiries into this incident are ongoing, we cannot release further details at this stage.”

Williams said that with so much construction work going on across Melbourne, many worksites were lifting heavy loads daily.

“Cranes are an essential part of many industries, but work involving cranes is high risk and must be treated with the utmost care and caution,” she said.

“Failure to do otherwise could have tragic consequences.”

According to WorkSafe Victoria, when using cranes, measures to manage the risks include:

• selecting the proper crane and lifting equipment for the task, size and weight of the load;
• for construction work, ensuring a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is created and adhered to;
• ensuring cranes are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and requirements;
• checking that crane operators have the skills, training and licences to operate safely;
• creating and adhering to safe systems of work and ensuring all workers are properly trained and competent before commencing the task.

For more information about construction site safety or working with cranes, visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Matt Kunz