Last week, while dismantling a fixed crane (tower crane) at a Highwealth Construction construction site on Wenxin South Road in Nantun District, Taichung City, the crane arm accidentally fell and damaged the MRT facilities. In response, OSHA of the Ministry of Labor immediately launched a comprehensive inspection of all construction sites nationwide with tower cranes of over 3 tons. COAPRE emphasized the importance of the safe use of tower cranes in the workplace and urged the relevant industry and personnel to rigorously adhere to the regulations for the 3 stages of operation—before, during, and after—to ensure the safe operation of tower cranes. Before tower crane operations commence, a safety lifting plan must be developed by considering factors including weight, center of gravity, lifting method, and path. A safety zone within the operating range must be established. During the operation, the stability of the machinery and the balance of the lifting process must be monitored closely, and the safety conditions of the surrounding areas must be observed rigorously to prevent further occupational accidents.
 

According to OSHA, Ministry of Labor’s latest "Yearbook of Labor Inspection Statistics", the relationship between types of occupational accidents and mediums showed that the medium "cranes" averaged 144 incidents per year from 2016 to 2021. While the figures dropped slightly in 2019 and 2020, they increased again in 2021. The Machinery and Equipment Technology Division of COAPRE also pointed out that tower cranes are indispensable machinery on construction sites. However, due to their unique nature and the complexity of their operating environments, failure to adhere to correct safety operation procedures can result in serious accidents. Consequently, industry professionals and operators are required to abide by the 3-stage guidelines to ensure the safe operation of tower cranes.
 

In the first stage, before operating a tower crane, it is imperative to make sure the operators possess the necessary qualifications, and that the tower crane has undergone regular maintenance and inspections to confirm its normal operation. Also, before construction, a safety lifting plan must be devised, taking into consideration factors such as weight, center of gravity, lifting methods, and paths. A safety zone within the operation area should be established, and an emergency response plan should be formulated to ensure that all personnel are familiar with the details of the plan.
 

In addition, during the second stage of tower crane operations, operating in adverse weather conditions must be avoided, and it is essential to ensure that operations stay within the load capacity limits. Monitoring the stability of the machinery and maintaining balance throughout the lifting process is crucial. The surrounding safety conditions must be monitored closely to prevent accidents. The operators should wear adequate PPE.
 

Moreover, during the third stage of dismantling after using the tower crane, it is essential to prepare a safety dismantling plan in advance. The plan should include the dismantling procedures, safety standards, and the equipment and tools required. A supervisor should be appointed to oversee the entire dismantling process and make sure it is conducted according to the plan. Meanwhile, no one is allowed inside the operating area, and the area must be kept clear to protect the safety of the workers and the surrounding environment.
 

In light of the recent major occupational accidents involving tower cranes in the country, the center's Machinery and Equipment Technology Division will be conducting outreach services this year to tower crane operators, focusing on promoting key safety management practices and emphasizing inspection guidelines for hazardous machinery in a bid to create a safer work environment. COAPRE also stressed that due to the widespread use of cranes in the construction and engineering industries, they are involved in lifting and moving loads in a horizontal, transverse, rotational, or up-and-down manner. Accidents during operation pose significant dangers not only to operators but also to pedestrians, vehicles, and others below, making it an extremely dangerous operation. Based on indicators including inherent safety, source management, and technical service, efforts will be made to lower potential occupational accidents by enhancing the maintenance and repair capabilities of key components of mobile cranes. The target is to assist over 50 machinery repair shops in improving their maintenance capabilities and certification operations.