Beavers, J E; Moore, J R; Rinehart, R and Schriver, W R (2006) Crane-related fatalities in the construction industry. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 132(9), pp. 901-910. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
One of the major causes of fatalities during construction is the use of cranes or derricks during lifting operations. Using the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) case files from fatality investigations during the years 1997-2003, the writers examined the data to determine the proximal causes and contributing physical factors. The research results showed the use of mobile cranes with lattice and telescopic booms, truck or crawler mounted, represented over 84% of the fatalities in the use of cranes/derricks. To reduce the rate of crane fatalities the writers believe that crane operators and riggers should be qualified and requalification should occur every 3 years. Crane safety training must be provided to specialty trade crafts before they are allowed to work around cranes during lifting operations. In addition, a "diligent" competent person [as defined in 29CFR 1926.32(f)] should be in charge of all aspects of lifting operations. Finally, OSHA should improve its system of collecting information during fatality investigations, placing emphasis on intervention strategies to improve usefulness of the investigations to researchers and policymakers inside and outside the Agency.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cranes; safety |
| Index terms: | placing, occupational safety and health, investigation, fatalities, safety training, construction industry, crane operator, physical factor, lifting, agency, intervention strategy |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, practitioner, environmental science, health risk and incident analysis, concrete and cementitious materials, financial risk, occupational health and safety management, sociology, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Construction Materials, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here