The Safe Crane Campaign is an initiative instigated and administered by the UK construction industry to ensure that tower cranes on UK construction sites are safely erected, maintained, operated and dismantled.

The Safe Crane Campaign has been developed by the Strategic Forum’s Health and Safety Tower Cranes Group. Members from across industry and government have pledged to make Health and Safety a primary commitment by personal example; by driving health and safety in their own organisation and by doing the same in the industry bodies they represent.

The Tower Cranes group was created in August 2007, and key industry representatives have agreed to take action following several incidents involving tower cranes on UK construction sites.

The group has produced a range of best practice guidance that it hopes will make a real improvements to the health and safety records within the tower crane sector.

In high winds, when not in use, tower cranes are left to "weathervane" to reduce the wind pressure exerted on them.

The Met Office provides a ‘tower-crane forecast service’ that gives mean and gust wind speeds (mph, at required heights), wind direction and weather forecasts to construction sites that use tower cranes. www.metoffice.gov.uk

Tower cranes are often attached to large concrete foundations which can weigh 182,000 kg (400,000 pounds).

There are around 1500 cranes in the UK and, at any one time, around 1000 of these are in use.

The responsibilities outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations provide the framework under which cranes on construction sites must be operated.

If you would like a Safe Crane Campaign
poster, or additional copies, please email posters@safecranes.org.uk
Working Groups were set up to look into each aspect of tower crane safety.
Their findings and best practice guidance are detailed below.
Tower Crane Operator Working Group
This group, made up of representatives from major contractors, the unions, the HSE, tower crane owners, tower crane suppliers and tower crane operators, looked at the issue of tower crane operators’ working conditions, and the impact this has on health and safety for the individual and others. The group produced a best practice guidance document, endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Construction that aims to improve tower crane operators’ working conditions in line with industry standards.

Tower crane operators carry out a vital and safety critical role on construction sites. This best practice guidance has been written for both tower crane operators and those in control of tower crane operations, from supply to site management. It seeks to provide an overview of the working conditions the industry expects to ensure the health and safety of operators and all those who may be affected by their operations. It covers issues such as rights and responsibilities; health issues, including fitness for task; working conditions, including hours of work, number of operatives, climbing conditions and welfare provision; and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Pocket-sized books will be provided to every tower crane operator in the UK, sponsored by CPCS.

Downloads
• Tower Crane Operator Best Practice Guidance Document