Crane Safety Focus of AGC Co-Hosted Event

October 16, 2008 • The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), McGraw Hill Construction's Engineering News-Record, and the International Union of Operating Engineers co-hosted a crane safety summit on Sept. 9, 2008, to discuss the importance of improving crane safety in the construction industry.

The one-day event drew about 60 individuals representing 21 different organizations. Topics included review of recent fatalities and OSHA's proposed cranes and derricks rule; crane inspection, operation, and operator certification; rigging and signaling; as well as site management issues, such as power line safety. Speakers came from government, research organizations, safety and training companies, trade associations, manufacturers, and contractors.

 

“The goal of this summit was to gather industry stakeholders for an open and frank dialogue on how best to improve safety for the construction industry and the public while operating and maintaining cranes on jobsites across the country,” said Michele Myers, director safety and health for AGC of America, Arlington, Va.

 

This was the first time the AGC has convened a summit specifically on crane safety. “AGC holds safety as one of our top priorities; crane safety is included in that,” said Myers. The hosts of the summit plan to create a white paper for distribution to the industry addressing the recommendations and discussions that came out of the event.

 

“AGC intends to work together with the industry to develop best practices and industrywide goals that the industry can accept, and to work with the industry to ensure the safety of workers and the public while operating cranes,” said Myers.