“We haven’t had a deadly tower crane accident in Oregon in more than two decades, which is fortunate,” said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. “However, we want to ensure that employers are fulfilling their responsibility to inspect cranes and ensure operators are properly trained.”
Starting in September, the agency will increase the number of tower crane inspections at construction sites around the state. The programme, which is limited to tower cranes only, will assess crane operator qualifications, crane maintenance according to manufacturer guidelines, inspection records and training records.
Oregon OSHA says it will evaluate the programme’s effectiveness and findings in July 2009. The scope of an inspection may be expanded to address unrelated hazards if they pose a serious danger.
