23.01.2006

Coroner recomends crane recall

Coroner Ian Matterson of Hobart Tasmania has called for tractor type cranes to be fitted with inclinometers with a cut out when the slope that the crane is working on exceeds 8.75 degrees.

The call follows the death of crane fitter/driver Keith Mitchell, 44, on September 20, 2003, after he was crushed by a Linmac AWD16, 16 tonne tractor crane.

He was critical of Mitchell's employer, crane and haulage company Elliott Bros, saying that it had failed the safety of its employees.
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A Linmac AWD 16

The inquest heard that Mitchell and two co-workers, Greg Smith and Shane Geappen, had gone to Margate, Tasmania, to move a 6.5-tonne boat by lifting it with the crane onto a trailer. Matterson said he believed the crane tipped over because it articulated too far downhill through an "unfortunate miscalculation". "The employee's position in driving this crane was not assisted by its lack of instrumentation,"

According to the coroners report, Greg Smith was rigging, while Shane Geappen operated the crane. Mitchell was driving the truck.

With the lift underway, Smith gave a hand signal to Geappen signifying that the boat was articulated a couple of degrees to the right, he gave a stop signal.

The next step was to tie the boat down onto the trailer. Mitchell was asked if the stern of the boat was in position, and he gave a positive response. They then went to get some rubber matting from the truck to put between the boat and the trailer.

At some stage Smith noticed Mitchell jump clear of the trailer as the boat moved slightly towards the direction of the crane. Smith signalled for the driver of the crane to lower the boat but at the same time Geappen felt the crane tipping over to his right.

Smith ran away from the boat as he gave the signal. The boat was lowered as quickly as possible, and came to rest on the trailer, but the crane continued to tip. The boom of the crane struck Mitchell across the back of his shoulder area, pinning him face down, which Matterson believed, killed him instantly.

The Coroner accepted the conclusions of crane engineer Dinko Miocevich, who wrote a report saying that in his opinion the gradient upon which the crane was being operated was more than what could be considered safe for the height and reach of the lift and the size of the load.

Although the boat was within the range of the crane's rated capacity chart, the chart only related to its use on a firm and level surface.

"The absence of lateral gradient indicating equipment and a de-rating chart denied both the rigger/lift supervisor and the crane operator a factual basis upon which to base a decision as to the safety of the lift," said Miocevich.

Coroner Matterson adopted the recommendations made by Miocevich in his report. He recommended that Linmac AWD 16 mobile cranes be recalled and fitted with an amended capacity chart which showed load de-rating when operated on slopes exceeding 8.75 per cent and articulation angles which exceeded 10 degrees.

He recommended that an inclinometer be fitted in the crane operator's cabin and the device should be "red lined" to show an operating exclusion zone beyond 8.75 per cent gradient in any direction.

He also recommended approaches be made to Standards Australia for AS1418.5 Mobile Cranes Code and AS2550.5 Safe Use of Mobile Cranes to me modifiedd to make inclinometers and gradient de-rating charts mandatory on the Linmac crane.

Denise Mitchell, the dead mans widow was in court and clearly upset after the verdict, she is pursuing legal action for compensation against Elliott Bros in the Supreme Court.

Elliott Bros general manager Tony Edmondson would not comment on the findings, his lawyer said “Mr Edmondson has lost a workmate and has no comment”. The company offered its "deepest sympathies and condolences" to Mrs. Mitchell during the inquest.

Elliot brothers is located in Battery Point and can trace its roots back over 130 years, it started its crane hire activity in 1954.