25.05.2006

OSHA issues bulletin on Bridge cranes

OSHA, the American Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety bulleting regarding the use overhead gantry launching cranes. The bulletin essentially says that employers must insure that manufacturers operating instructions must be followed.
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An overhead gantry launching crane

The bulletin follows the collapse in 2004 of a 1,000 tonne Paola de Nicola crane working on a bridge over the Maumee river in Toledo Ohio. The contractor Fru-Con was heavily criticised and fined $280,000 for four wilful violations of federal workplace health and safety standards. See contractor found guilty

The bulletin goes into detail on the correct use of overhead launching gantry cranes and what exactly went wrong in Toledo. To read or download the bulletin click here: Osha Bulletin