CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOV 2018

Full body harnesses are worn by Johnson Crane Hire personnel.

QUICK TAKE

“At the moment, we have a situation where many of the fall- restraint systems are offered as an optional extra, rather than as a standard component. The systems are also not always required by regulation, so the extra costs are borne by those users who choose the higher levels of safety, placing them potentially at a commercial disadvantage in the marketplace.” Cedric Froneman, SHEQ executive at Johnson Crane Hire

There are unique risks facing crane crews, due to the height of most mobile cranes being less than 4 m from the ground often with inadequate anchor points available.

Compared to a fall factor of zero, where the workman’s lanyard can be attached to an anchor point above their head, most mobile cranes only have attachment points at waist level and sometimes only at foot level.

Given the relatively low height of some mobile cranes, it is also possible that anyone falling may reach the ground before the shock absorbing lanyard can take their weight, essentially providing no fall protection.

TALKING POINT

Froneman highlights that this raises the question of regulation, and the need to create a ‘level playing field’ among both the OEMs and the mobile crane users. “At the moment, we have a situation where many of the fall-restraint systems are offered as an optional extra, rather than as a standard component,” he says. “The systems are also not always required by regulation, so the extra costs are borne by those users who choose

It is important that any safety enhancements be made by the crane OEMs, users are not permitted to simply modify mobile cranes in any way they see fit.

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