Between the 1st January 2020 and the 31st Dec 2020, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has carried out 3,641 inspections as well as 355 investigations in the construction sector. While carrying out an inspection, the HSA inspector will examine the different work activities being carried out on the site along with the examination of operator training and maintenance of plant and lifting equipment on site, including Tower Cranes where applicable.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction Regulations) 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013) require any person who operates a Tower Crane (with the exception of those in training) to be in possession of a SOLAS Construction Skills Certification (CSCS) Card for Tower Cranes. These Regulations also require any person (sometimes referred to as a banksman) involved in slinging/signalling operations, to be in possession of a SOLAS CSCS Card for slinging/signalling.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Applications) 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) require lifting equipment used on a construction site to be examined weekly by the user, as regards to the features related to its safe working. A record of the results of the examination must be kept in a suitable form and made available to an inspector where such records are requested. The General Application Regulations also require that fixed work equipment used for lifting loads is not taken into use for the first time, unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person. A certificate of the test and examination specifying the safe working load must be in place and available for inspection.
Inspectors carrying out inspections on construction sites, where tower cranes are present, will look for evidence of the required training for the Tower Crane Operator and Banksman. Inspectors will also look for evidence that the required safety inspections of the tower cranes have been carried out.
In 2020 the HSA processed 62 complaints related to the use of cranes on construction sites – this figure relates to all crane types and is not limited to tower cranes. Such complaints include general complaints from members of the public as well as complaints from employees. Common topics emerging from these complaints included operation of cranes in windy conditions, slewing over property, safe working loads and questions relating to social distancing when using suspended personnel platforms/cages. None of the complaints received by the HSA in 2020 have been identified as being raised by crane operators.
