asked the Minister for Labour the number of accidents involving the collapse of tower cranes in the last five years; and if, having regard to the number of such accidents, he will improve the safety precautions to be taken in the erection and operation of such cranes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety of Crane Operators.
3.
In the past five years, five cases involving the collapse of tower cranes were notified to the factory inspectorate. One worker was injured and was out of work for three weeks.
Of the five collapses mentioned, three were due to storm wind conditions and two resulted from the failure of component parts of tower cranes.
The Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1959, require, among other things, that tower cranes shall not be erected expect under the immediate supervision of a competent person and in addition that they must be protected, worked and maintained so as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.
The building regulations are at present under review. It is proposed to make the provision relating to the construction and use of tower cranes more specific and to provide for storm wind conditions.