Comprehensive Risk Assessment of Tower Crane Operations

This report provides a comprehensive risk assessment of tower crane operations in the construction industry, focusing on identifying potential hazards and recommending mitigation strategies to ensure employee safety and timely project completion. The assessment utilizes a checklist to evaluate the condition of the tower crane and identifies risks such as weak ladders and accessibility issues. Recommendations include coordinating with the construction manager, providing protective gear, and implementing regular inspections and maintenance. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing these risks to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment for construction workers and crane operators. It also highlights the necessity of proper planning, high-quality equipment, and continuous monitoring to minimize the likelihood of incidents and ensure the well-being of all personnel involved.

Individual
Report
1

EXECUTIVE SUMARRY
Tower crane operators have to face various challenges ad threats as their daily work involves
dealing with heavy machinery and material which increases risks of accidents and threats. It is
important to carry out risk assessment and fill the crane operation checklist in order to determine
the current condition of the tower crane and any possible risks. Some of the common risks
associated with operating tower crane which were identified after completing risk assessment re
the issue of weak ladders and the issue of assessing the crane easily. These risks need to be
mitigated by coordinating with the construction manager. In addition to this implementation of
plans to minimize such risks involves taking measures such as providing employees protective
gear and proper selection of mechanical components.
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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMARRY .............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................4
RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE ...............................................................................................4
Checklist .....................................................................................................................................7
.RISK ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................10
RECCOMENDATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................13
.CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................15
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................16
3

INTRODUCTION
The construction industry is one of the most challenging industries in the current
corporate world because it requires employees to handle dangerous technologies and
machinery’s for constructing buildings and complexes (Chen and et. al., 2020). The actual
liberals involved in building a specific house or complex face various threats while completing
their daily activities. These threats and hazards can also be life threatening as employees have to
utilize dangerous tools and machinery’s in their daily work. It is important for Businesses
involved in the construction industry to conduct a risk assessment for every tool and piece of
machinery utilized specifically machinery which is dangerous and associated with heavy
workload.
This type of risk assessment helps the company determine the quality of the machinery
and the hazards it introduces to the construction site so that appropriate measures and protective
action can be taken to ensure that no accidents or threats affect employee safety and well-being.
In addition to this risk assessment is also important because it helps the company effectively do
mind the level of risk associated with using a specific piece of machinery in context of its return
on investment and availability to complete the construction job in a timely manner (Firdaus and
et. al., 2021).
This report is based on the video of crane which is being utilized for building a
skyscraper in Malaysia. The report conducts a risk assessment of the travel crane so that any
employees and construction versus associated with operating the tower crane or and even though
construction related to the tower crane are able to complete their work on a timely manner
without compromising their well being and safety. This report includes a risk assessment along
with recommendations and implementation steps which can help reduce the risk associated with
operating a tower crane.
RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
Company name: LMN Assessment carried out by: ABC
Date of next review: 20/5/22 Date assessment was carried out: 19/4/22
4

What
are the
hazard
s?
Who might be
harmed and
how?
What are
you already
doing to
control the
risks?
What further
action do you
need to take to
control the
risks?
Who
needs to
carry out
the
action?
When is
the
action
needed
by?
Done
Objects
falling
from
height
Any
construction
worker or
personal
working
nearby the
tower crane
can be harmed
because of
falling objects
even if they are
small tools.
The
contingency
plans for the
risk of falling
objects is to
clearly seal
the cabin so
that objects
do not fall
from the
height
accidently.
The action which
will support
controlling the
risk of falling
objects is to offer
crane operators
better gear and
uniform to keep
their tools and
other objects so
that the
possibility of any
object falling is
reduced.
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
3 months Not
Done
Serious
injury
or
death
due to
lack of
protecti
ve gear
at
height
Construction
workers are the
primary targets
of the
company.
Health Safety
Kits
There needs to be
health gear
attached to the
worker so that
they are provided
safety in case of
falling down
from the crane.
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
2 Weeks Not
Done
5

What
are the
hazard
s?
Who might be
harmed and
how?
What are
you already
doing to
control the
risks?
What further
action do you
need to take to
control the
risks?
Who
needs to
carry out
the
action?
When is
the
action
needed
by?
Done
Delay
of the
project
due to
low
quality
crane
Construction
workers
Repairing
ineffective
parts of the
crane
Regular checking
crane systems of
crane and pre lift
planning.
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
1 month Not
Done
Thin
and
weak
and
ladders
Construction
workers
Offering
employees
safety kits in
case of minor
injuries
Improved ladder The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
4 weeks Not
Done
Overlo
ading
hazard
Construction
workers
Reducing
load given to
the crane.
Improving and
updating crane
technology
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
3 weeks Not
Done
6

What
are the
hazard
s?
Who might be
harmed and
how?
What are
you already
doing to
control the
risks?
What further
action do you
need to take to
control the
risks?
Who
needs to
carry out
the
action?
When is
the
action
needed
by?
Done
constructi
on project
manager.
Electro
nic
Hazard
Construction
workers
Protective
rubber gear is
provided to
construction
workers
Improved high
quality electric
tools available in
the crane
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
4 Weeks Not
Done
Accesi
bility
of the
crane
Tower crane
operator
Regularly
scheduling
maintenance
of the crane
Implementing
inspection of the
crane
The
action
needs to
be
complete
d by the
constructi
on project
manager.
10 weeks Not
done
Checklist
7

Design & plant registration
Safety Check-list
Check yes no n/a
The crane design is registered, if required ✓
The crane design is registered, if required ✓
Has the crane been altered and re-registered, if required.
A copy of the Evidence of Plant Registration is displayed on or near the
crane.
✓
The crane registration number is legibly stamped/marked on the crane ✓
Maintenance and
inspection
safety checklist
Check yes no n/a
[Reg. 4.54(4)]
The crane is maintained and inspected in accordance with written
instructions developed at the time of the design by the person who
designed or manufactured the crane; OR Where it is not practical to obtain
those instructions then the crane is maintained and inspected in accordance
with instructions approved by the Commissioner; OR Where it is not
practical to obtain either of those instructions then the crane is maintained
and inspected in accordance with the relevant parts of Australian Standard
AS2550.
✓
Where the crane is maintained and inspected in accordance with the
Australian Standard – Records show the crane is serviced regularly as per
AS2550.1; AND Records show the crane is inspected annually by a
competent person as per AS2550.1; AND The crane has undergone a
major mechanical inspection as per AS2550.1 where the crane has been in
service more than 10 years; OR The crane has undergone a major
✓
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mechanical inspection as per AS2550.1 where the crane has been in
service more than 20 years; AND Where the crane has been in service for
more than 25 years, the crane has undergone an assessment of suitability
for continued use and a major structural and mechanical inspection as per
AS2550: 1
Records of any maintenance, inspection, test, repair or commissioning is
made and kept
✓
High Risk Work
Licence
safety checklist
Check yes no n/a
Operator has been trained in the safe operation of the crane ✓
Where required, the crane operator holds a high risk licence ✓
The person/s who slings the load holds a high risk licence where
judgement is exercised (DG)
✓
Where multi crane hoisting is carried out the person supervising the lift
holds a high risk licence for rigging - intermediate or advanced class (RI
or RA).
✓
Certificate of Competency has been converted to a High Risk Licence ✓
The employer does not direct or allow a person to carry out high risk
work without a licence
✓
General condition of
crane
safety checklist
Check yes no n/a
9

Maximum rated capacity (SWL) clearly displayed ✓
Control labels are legible ✓
Emergency stop is functional ✓
Lifting hooks (general condition, safety latches etc) ✓
Hoist ropes (condition) ✓
Main isolator (if fitted) is identified and is of a type able to be locked in
the off position
✓
Upper limit functional ✓
Lower limit functional ✓
Oil leaks ✓
Structural deformity ✓
Load/ weight indicators ✓
Compass directions displayed on beam (for bridge & gantry cranes)
correlate with pendant functions
✓
Electrical conductor warning signs (for bridge & gantry cranes) ✓
Gantry cranes fitted with travel alarm ✓
Outdoor gantry crane is fitted with travel locks that are engaged when
gantry crane is not in use.
✓
Guarding ✓
Lifting gear
damage, wear, tags etc
Check yes no n/a
An inspection regime is in place for all lifting gear including Chains,
slings, shackles and lifting attachments
✓
Chains and slings not in use are properly stored ✓
Lifting chains have a maximum rated capacity tag fitted (otherwise
known as Safe Working Load or Working Load Limit)
✓
10

A copy of the Evidence of Plant Registration is displayed on or near the
crane.
✓
The crane registration number is legibly stamped/marked on the crane ✓
.RISK ASSESSMENT
It is determined from the risk assessment that the usage of the tower crane brings various hazards
to the construction site which can not only affect the quality and timely completion of the
construction project but also act as a threat to the life of employees and crane tower operator.
This need to be eliminated as soon as possible so that the construction side work is continued
smoothly without any cause of major danger against the life of employees and operators working
at the construction site (EHe and et. al., 2022).
A tower crane is a recent invention in the field of construction which is utilized for
building skyscrapers all moving heavy goods. The primary usage of a tower crane involves
moving heavy goods materials or tools around a construction site and. It is an effective tool for
cutting costs on movement of heavy goods and materials so that the construction work is
completed in a timely manner as movement of heavy goods is completed swiftly with the help of
a tower crane. Tower cranes support timely completion of construction activities as they are able
to reach the height of 265 feet and lift up to 19.8 tonnes of material. In this way tower cranes are
utilized for building skyscrapers quickly (Jiang and et. al., 2021).
A tower crane is operated by the simple principle of all overturning forces being
counteracted by the concrete pad and the counterweights hanging off the machine arm.
Operating a tower crane is dangerous activity. Tower cranes are a threat too construction workers
because they are involved with activities and construction tasks associated with great heights and
utilizing the simple crane principles for lifting and moving heavy weights around the
construction building. These activities are dangerous and can lead to loss of life at the
construction site if the construction operator is not able to complete their work effectively (Lee
and Shin, 2018). This showcases the requirement of risk assessment when it comes to
employing a tower crane for a construction site because the level of risks associated with
operating a tower cranes are high and can cause maximum damage to the company if it leads to
loss of life at the construction site.
The primary hazard associated with operating a tower crane is objects falling from great
height which can cause damage to property or employees even if the object is very small. This is
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a serious hazard associated with operating a tower crane because employees have to work at
great heights with mechanical and construction tools which are often cause of dangerous even in
normal situations such as hammers or pliers. If these types of tools fall from a great height they
can cause damage to the property or seriously injure a person when coming in contact. It is
determined from the risk assessment that the current contingency plan in case of objects falling
from great height because of the tower crane it involves sealing the tower crane cabins so that
any object possessed by the tower crane operator is not able to fall from the height and injure
someone. This type of contingency plan is ineffective because it does not account for any other
tool falling accidentally by the tower crane operator or any other worker present at the tower
crane (Rui, Hui and Yi-chuan, 2022) .
The second hazard associated with tower crane is serious injury or death caused by
falling from great height an absence of any protective year which can help the employee rescue
from the fall. This is a serious issue when it comes to risk associated with operating tower
cranes because tower cranes are utilized for reaching heights equivalent to skyscraper and double
green operators have to be at maximum alert while working so that they do not accidentally fall
to their death. The contingency plan in context of this hazard is to provide the staff health and
safety skates which can be used in case of injury caused by falling from medium heights so there
they are able to quickly return to work. This is a least effective method when it comes to dealing
with The risk of employees falling down from tower green because usually tower crane operators
are given technological gears through which they are able to secure themselves at great heights
and in case of accidental fall can be easily rescued. The technology which is provided to tower
crane operators includes fall protection gears which can be used for ensuring safety of the
employees in case they are accidentally falling.
There is also the hazard of along with a thin and weak ladder which are used by the
employees to climb up the tower crane. these risks are serious because they not only affect the
quality of the project but also negatively impact the health and well being of the employee as
they are not able to continue their work in a safe environment. The current measures which are
taken for handling these issues include repairing ineffective parts of the claims to ensure that the
project is completed in a timely manner and offering employees safety case in case they are
injured by the thing ladders why climbing up the tower crane (Yoon and et. al., 2021). This is an
ineffective measure when it comes to protecting employees and ensuring the timely completion
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