14.09.2009

Crane tip over

A 120 tonne crane tipped over in a petrochemical plant on September 7th, in Qatar, an intial report blames the accident on a number of classic errors in communication and planning.

The crane, a 120 tonne Terex All Terrain, was used to lift a man basket in order to remove the slings from a large vessel being installed in an Ammonia-6 plant.
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The crane on its side

After completing the job and removing the man basket, the Operator retracted the boom and raised it to near full elevation. He then switched off the superstructure engine and left the cab. He proceeded to retract the outriggers and then attempted to drive clear of the area.

He was though instructed not to move and remain on standby. He climbed back into the superstructure cab and started to slew the boom. The rotating superstructure cased the crane to fall over on its side trapping the operator in his cab.
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The operator is helped out of the cab

With a little help from bystanders he was able to escape through the skylight unhurt.

The investigation has immediately focused on the pressure being applied to the operator by the sub contractor to hurry, the fact that he was tired and had no access to refreshments and that he was not specifically trained to operate the specific model of crane.
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Were the axles locked?

The accident report suggests that a lack proper lift planning, poor communication between the operator and the contractor and a lack of familiarity with the crane on the part of the operator, were the principle causes.

Vertikal Comment

This is a typical accident – poor, planning pressure from the contractor to get the job done and excessive hours on the part of the operator. Coupled in this case with training issues and a lack of teamwork between the crane operator and ground crew.

This lift involved a contactor a sub contractor and a crane supplier with little practical communication between them. It could have so easily been avoided.