20.05.2014

Boom truck lands on cars

A boom truck overturned in Milwaukee on Friday as it was unloading and placing steel beams and landed across four cars, one of which was occupied.

The two people in the car managed to climb out of the crushed car without serious injury. Witnesses claim that a gust of wind caught the load and helped cause the incident. The beams broke free and dropped on the cars, followed by the crane boom.
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The overturned boom truck

The crane is owned and operated by Tollefsen Steel and Fabrication of Muskego, and we understand that the operator suffered minor injuries.

A team from Dawes crane and rigging successfully recovered the stricken boom truck. Looking at photos we have received it seems the crane was short rigged on the side it tipped. OSHA is investigating.
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The crane was short rigged on one side

UPDATE

At the start of October 2014 OSHA issued the following citations against Tollefsen:

-Failing to ensure that frequent and regular inspections were conducted — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards (with a proposed penalty of $2,800).

-Failing to perform visual inspections prior to each shift for apparent deficiencies of equipment being used — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards.

-Failing to inspect the equipment in service each month — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards.

-Failing to ensure that monthly crane inspections records were maintained.

-Failing to ensure synthetic webbing was marked — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards (with a proposed penalty of $2,000).

-Failing to ensure a qualified rigger was established prior to each shift — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards (with a proposed penalty of $2,000).

-Failing to comply with all manufacturer procedures applicable to the operational functions of the equipment — in that all outriggers/stabilisers were not properly deployed and lowered, effecting the lifting capacity of the crane (with a proposed penalty of $2,800).

-Failing to ensure that the operator’s manual was present at the work site (with a proposed penalty of $2,800).

-Failing to ensure the weight of the load was calculated and determined before proceeding with a lift — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards (with a proposed penalty of $2,800).

-Failing to ensure persons who conduct crane signaling received qualified training — exposing employees to “struck-by” hazards

OSHA calculates the total proposed penalties levied against Tollefson Steel & Fabrication, to be $15,200.