A review of crane safety in the construction industry

The complex, dynamic, and continually changing nature of construction work has been recognized as an important contributor to the high rates of injuries and fatalities in the industry. Cranes are a central component of many construc-tion operations and are associated with a large fraction of constructiondeaths; in fact, estimates suggest that cranes are involved in up to one-third of all construction and mainte-nance fatalities. Safety and health professionals serving the construction industry need adequate training and knowl-edge regarding available crane safety devices and proce-dures so that theymay insure these techniques are effectively utilized during construction operations. This paper reviews available information on crane-related injuries, currently available safety devices, and commonly used crane safety procedures. Recommendations for improved crane injury prevention and future crane safety research are given