Workplace safety is always a priority (especially when construction machinery is involved), but crane safety is particularly vital due to the serious risks associated with crane use. Cranes are used in a range of industries. Due to the risk that comes with crane operation, there are several regulations and safety guidelines that all industries must adhere to.

The law says that all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person; appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. Cranes and lifting accessories such as slings must be of adequate strength, tested, and subject to the required examinations and inspections.

Despite this legislation, since 2001, according to the HSE, there have been 61 accidents involving tower cranes, 9 people have died and 25 have been seriously injured, with poor maintenance being highlighted as the root cause of many of these accidents.

To help create the safest environment for your employees working with cranes, we have several key standards that provide guidance on crane safety best practices.

To read more about how standards can help manage occupational health and safety in the built environment, click here.

What are the Key Standards for Crane Safety?

The BS 7121 series of standards provide recommendations for the safe use of cranes within a work environment. They are widely recognized as best practices in any industry and are used by those planning and carrying out lifting operations with cranes in the UK.

BS 7121-1:2016 Code of practice for safe use of cranes – General gives guidance for the safe use of cranes permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment gives recommendations for the safe use of cranes permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment. Subjects covered include safe systems of work, selection, erection and dismantling, maintenance, inspection, thorough examination, operation, and the planning and management of lifting operations.

It will help your organization comply with the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Another key standard within the series is BS 7121-3:2017+A1:2019 Code of practice for safe use of cranes - Mobile cranes. It covers dealing with the hazards caused by mobility and the diversity of locations of mobile crane lifting operations. Whilst BS 7121-5:2019 Code of practice for safe use of cranes - Tower cranes gives recommendations for the safe use of tower cranes, including self‑erecting tower cranes other than mobile self-erecting tower cranes. It also covers the appropriate selection and training of personnel involved in the safe installation and use of tower cranes.

Anthony Burd Head of Sector, Built Environment at BSI said: “The health and safety of those using cranes or being in an environment where they operate, is vitally important. It must be stressed that without guidance such as the BS 7121 series anyone carrying out or being near lifting operations could be at far greater risk of accidents or injuries associated with the use of cranes.”

In your safety-critical industry, get everyone in your construction business involved in embedding a culture of health and safety. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to improve your health and safety processes. The flexibility and visibility it provides of the best practices guidance enable you to get the most from your standards. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM07 Occupational & Personal Safety module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.

To ensure your organization is working to best practices with regards to crane safety, add these key standards to your collection today, or browse our catalogue of crane safety standards for more guidance.