Forum moves to raise confidence in tower cranes

The Strategic Forum is to seek the inclusion of a 'Safe to Use' public statement covering tower crane activities on sites registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

The move is part of a short-term action plan agreed at the Forum's meeting on tower crane safety and is designed to counter the public's perception that tower cranes are dangerous following a spate of accidents.

The Forum has also set up working groups on: maintenance and thorough examinations of tower cranes dedicated site inductions for those involved in lifting operations mapping and analysing competence and training schemes and operators working conditions.

On-site communication will also be examined in conjunction with the Forum's existing worker engagement working group, with the aim of ensuring effective site communication to workers.

All groups will report by the end of February prior to the next meeting in April.

In a wider move, Forum members agreed to collate and share information and learning outcomes on fatal and major incidents and also near-hit incidents that could have resulted in major injury.