THE UK’S Construction Industry Research & Information Association (CIRIA) is looking for companies to contribute the last £15,000 ($25,000) of a £150,000, two-year research project on the stability of tower cranes.

Prompted by the Canary Wharf tower crane accident in May 2000 (CT June 00, p9), CIRIA is planning research to produce best practice guidance on ensuring the stability and safe use of tower cranes, including the safe location, erection, dismantling and operation of tower cranes, the safe use of climbing frames, training and maintenance requirements, design of crane foundations, and the stability of crane masts.

CIRIA is looking for cash contributions of £2,000, which earns sponsors a seat on the steering committee. The project will be led by three organisations: CIRIA, an appointed research contractor with tower crane experience and the steering group. The steering group is scheduled to meet four times over the course of the 21 month project in central London, and will advise the CIRIA research manager on the scope and direction of the project, monitor progress and review drafts of the final output.

Participating organisations will be listed in the final report, and will have the option of including their logo. Sponsors also get early sight of the findings.

CIRIA plans to interview tower crane suppliers, major contractors and training organisations, identify the causes of tower crane instability, and prepare a guidance document ‘to explain both the main causes of tower crane accidents and the good design and site practices that can be implemented to reduce the risk,’ according to a spokesperson. It will also publish a summary of the guidance. Also to be included are a straightforward implementation guide and a training and inspection checklist.

The document will complement its existing guidance on the subject ­ SP131 Crane Stability on Site.

The primary sponsor so far has been the UK government’s Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), which has contributed £70,000. Other sponsors include HTC Plant and the CIRIA core members fund. Others who have donated in kind include: Carillion, the Construction Plant-Hire Association, the Construction Industry Training Board, the Health & Safety Executive, Laing O’Rourke/Select Plant Hire, the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFED), Sir Robert McAlpine, Taylor Woodrow and TWC Consulting.

Once the standard is finished, it will set up a series of six free half-day presentations to crane hire firms, contractors, designers and site managers around the UK.

For further details, contact David Storey at CIRIA, tel: +44 (0)20 7222 8891, fax: +44 (0)20 7222 1708, or email: david.storey@ciria.org