WorkSafe is investigating an incident involving a crane that nearly collapsed due to high winds at a construction site in Richmond. Emergency services have established an exclusion zone around the area while damage to the crane is being assessed. WorkSafe is working with the developer, principal contractor and the crane owner, who are currently preparing a plan for the crane’s safe removal. Once the crane is safely removed, WorkSafe’s investigation will focus on how the incident occurred.
Update:
Emergency services have established an exclusion zone around the site at Lennox Street and WorkSafe engineers were at the scene today. Work to dismantle the crane will not be able to begin until weather conditions are suitable. It is likely that the recovery operation will involve the use of two mobile cranes.
WorkSafe’s Head of Hazardous Industries and Industry Practice, Michael Coffey, said that safety needed to be the top priority during the recovery work.
“The disruption to local residents and traffic is regrettable but the safety of workers and the public must be our top consideration,” Mr Coffey said.
“Once all engineering assessments are completed and safe procedures are in place, the weather will determine when the work can begin.”
Update:
Work to dismantle a crane damaged by high winds at a Richmond construction site has commenced.
Favourable weather conditions at the site allowed for construction experts to begin the task using two mobile cranes this morning. The completion of the work will depend on weather conditions remaining suitable. WorkSafe Head of Hazardous Industries and Industry Practice Michael Coffey said the safety of workers and the public needed to remain the priority as the work continued.
An exclusion zone around the Lennox St site remains in place and WorkSafe engineers are at the scene.
Update:
Work to disassemble the crane damaged by high winds in Richmond is progressing, with the majority of the recovery tasks expected to be completed this afternoon. Favourable weather conditions allowed for construction experts to begin the task of removing the crane this morning, and the crane’s jib and A-frame have successfully been taken down.
Subject to weather conditions, work will continue to remove the remainder or the crane tower and the mobile cranes that were brought in to assist with the disassembly. Bridge Rd has reopened to traffic, however Lennox Street will remain closed to vehicles between Bridge Rd and Goodwood Street.
Source: WorkSafe VIC, 24 July 2018
