22.11.2007

Rough Terrain topples

A large Lorain Rough Terrain crane belonging to the owned by the city of Paterson’s public works department tipped over sideways yesterday while lifting debris from a stream.

The crane's operator had retracted the outiggers and was free on tyres with around 12 metres of boom extended and was using a clamshell bucket to lift rubbish from the Molly Ann Brook in the Hillcrest section of the town.
He had started to slew over the side when the crane went over.
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Not bothering with outriggers caused this accident

Although the cranes boom fell into the street, damage was limited to a chain link fence and a shed together with some minor scrapes to a vehicle. The operator. Quentin Powell, hurt his hand and was treated at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, but was not seriously injured.

Latest reports say that the boom on the eight year old crane was seriously damaged and was cut away from the overturned machine in order to open up the street.

Vertikal Comment

One assumes that a crane owned by an end user such as this would have a well trained operator?

The idea of using a crane for clamshell work, particularly when pulling junk from the water, without setting the machines outriggers beggars belief.

Thankfully no one was injured this time.