Crane safety: contractors told to train for rescues

A leading crane safety expert has called on main contractors to train at least six workers on every large site to carry out tower crane rescues. Roger Hamilton-Smith, business development manager of the National Access and Rescue Centre (NARC), said the main contractor's responsibility for the tower crane operator's safety had been brought into sharp focus with the publication of the Construction Plant-hire Association's new guidelines, which are backed by the Health and Safety Executive.

He warned: "There may only be 15 minutes to get somebody down if they are hanging in a fall-arrest harness, waiting for the fire service may not be an option."

"The latest generation of equipment is easy to use and does not require a high level of training to use it," he added.

Three people are required to carry out a rescue, but NARC recommends training six to cover holidays and sickness. "It makes sense that these people are from the main contractor because they are on site all the time whereas subcontractors come and go," said Hamilton-Smith.

He also criticised the use of fall arrest systems for many workers, saying that restraint is preferable. "With an arrest system, anyone who falls is likely to be in hospital for a couple of days at best."

Hamilton-Smith also warned that many harnesses he sees on sites are damaged and even a small nick can halve the breaking strain of the webbing straps. He is especially critical of workers who let their harness hang loosely around their bodies: "If they end up hanging in these harnesses, they will see the folly of their ways, but it may be too late," he concluded.