20.05.2014

Short rigged boom truck overturn

A boom truck working in a street in Boston, Massachussetts, last week overturned when it slewed over the short rigged side of the crane.
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The crane slewed over the short rigged side before tipping

The incident occurred on Friday, with the crane boom coming down across a road and into the Puopolo Park baseball field. Thankfully no one was seriously injured although the operator and a passing pedestrian were taken to hospital for evaluation. There was also a minor fuel spill and the boom landed on a pick-up truck, apparently belonging to the crane’s owners New Castle Building Products of Northborough.
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The boom came down across the road and into a baseball park

Vertikal Comment

There is always a risk when operating with outriggers retracted on one side of the crane that the operator forgets and slews over them, or that he retracts and raises the boom when a big counterweight is fitted and hanging over the retracted outriggers. This is where a slew range limiter or alarm can be invaluable.

The sad thing in this case is that the crane is clearly well equipped with decent outrigger mats and plenty of decent cribbing. So this is a company that is clearly serious about setting up its cranes up properly.
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The crane was well set up with decent mats etc...