Union move on crane control

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33279, 17 July 1973, Page 2

Union move on crane control

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. Legislation setting out statutory qualifications for tower crane drivers on construction sites is to be sought by the Labourers’ Federation. The federation will also support a call by the Auckland Building Trades Safety Committee for a public inquiry into the safetv of cranes.

The Federation’s national secretary (Mr W. J. Anton) said today that representations had been made over several years to bring the construction, erection, certification and use of tower cranes under the provisions of the Construction Act. “It appears that once again i fatality is going to be needed to initiate legislative action.” Mr Anton said, referring to the incident in Auckland last Thursday, when the boom and control tower of a 140 ft crane fell. Mr Anton said that until 1971 the construction regulations had contained a provision for machine operators to

obtain certificates of competency. This had been removed without reference to worker organisations. “The position now is that a crane driver is not required to have any training or skills before being allowed to use a crane. “Nor is it necessary for the ‘dogman.’ who slings the load Jon to the crane’s hook, to [have any special training or skills.

I “Our federation had been pressing for a considerable period for the introduction of a statutory requirement that crane operators and dogmen should be certificated by the Labour Department or some 'other competent authority. "The federation wholeheartedly supports the call by the Auckland safety committee for a public inquiry, not only into the safety of cranes, but also into the whole area of the erection and use of cranes in the building and j construction industry.” Mr ! Anton said.