May 30, 2008 10:50 pm US/Central
Crane Collapse Fuels Construction Industry Critics
Expert: Operators Need More Training
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Firefighters and rescue workers search through the tangled wreckage.
The latest deadly New York City crane collapse is adding fuel to the fire for critics of the construction industry. Some say the people who operate these massive pieces of equipment need more training.
Safety experts say it's the recent boom in construction that has created a shortage of qualified and experienced crane operators, with some getting as little as forty hours of training before jumping behind the enormous rigs.
Massive tower cranes rise hundreds of feet into the air. Currently, out of 250 cranes operating in New York City alone, forty of them are massive tower cranes. On Friday, one at 91st. and First Avenue came roaring down, ripping off the side of an apartment building as it fell. Tom Barth, a crane expert says he's not surprised.
"You should not feel safe working around or walking around those cranes if they're standing 200 feet in the air, walk 300 feet around them," said Barth.
It's a perfect storm; The massive swell in construction, pressure to build quickly and lack of training have combined to fuel a rise in crane accidents - and the resulting lawsuits.
"What's happening in the construction industry is that it has grown so fast and furious that there is a shortage of qualified crane operators. People get a license to run a crane in 40 hours or less with no experience," said Barth.
The numbers paint a disturbing trend. In 2002, there were 171 crane accidents resulting in 96 deaths. In just 5 years, that doubled with 347 accidents, with 176 deaths.
And the solution, according to experts is simple: increased and thorough inspections, and more training for workers.
Critics also charge not enough time is spent inspecting cranes. Barth says a quality crane inspection should take at least 8 hours.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
