CROSS Safety Report
Crane outrigger loads underestimated due to misuse of software
This report is over 2 years old
Overview
A reporter is concerned about how the misuse of software can lead to incorrect outrigger loads being used in the design of foundations for crane outriggers.
The reporter feels that this issue needs addressing before it becomes a contributing factor in a serious incident.
Key Learning Outcomes
For civil and structural design engineers:
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Ensure that those using specialist software programs are suitably trained and competent to do so
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If you are uncertain with outputs from design software, consider seeking advice from the software technical support team
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If you receive loads from a third-party for use in their design (such as outrigger loads), it is good practice to carry out an independent check to verify the loads
Full Report
Find out more about the Full Report
The Full Report below has been submitted to CROSS and describes the reporter’s experience. The text has been edited for clarity and to ensure anonymity and confidentiality by removing any identifiable details. If you would like to know more about our secure reporting process or submit a report yourself, please visit the reporting to CROSS-UK page.
A reporter would like to raise awareness of an issue they have experienced with incorrect outrigger loads for mobile cranes. They work as an in-house temporary works design engineer for a main contractor and regularly deal with designing the foundations for crane outriggers. This requires knowing the accurate loads in the outriggers to check the ground and any surrounding structures or slopes.
Considering worst-case position of outriggers
For a particular crane lift, computer calculations had been provided to give the outrigger loads. However, these were not for the crane boom in the worst-case position and had to be corrected. With large mobile cranes with different rig configurations, it may not be possible to adequately check the outrigger loads without in-depth working knowledge of the crane.
Is the misuse of software a regular occurrence?
This is not an isolated case, continues the reporter, and due to incorrect use of software, it seems to be becoming more common. The consequence of being supplied with the incorrect outrigger loads can be severe. Lifts regularly take place close to retaining walls, tunnels and underground services.
The consequence of being supplied with the incorrect outrigger loads can be severe. Lifts regularly take place close to retaining walls, tunnels and underground services
The reporter feels that this issue needs addressing before it becomes a contributing factor in a serious incident.
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Expert Panel Comments
Expert Panels comment on the reports we receive. They use their experience to help you understand what can be learned from the reports. If you would like to know more, please visit the CROSS-UK Expert Panels page.
There are some similarities between this report and report 904. In both cases, there are significant structural engineering issues in design areas that will be unfamiliar to many engineers, no matter how much general experience they have. Not everyone will be familiar enough with the operation of mobile cranes to be able to identify configurations that give worst case outrigger loads.
A lesson is to beware when taking on anything novel and indeed this is integral with the ethics codes of professional institutions and the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Statement of Ethical Principles, one of which is ‘perform services only in areas of current competence’.
Risks associated with a crane collapse
The risk associated with a crane collapse may be to adjacent infrastructure with disproportionate consequences, such as equipment falling onto a railway track in the path of a train. In the UK, this was examined in the 2011 Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report Preventing catastrophic events in construction.
In December 2018, the Crane Interest Group (CIG) published CPA 1801 Good Practice Guide - Requirements for Mobile Cranes Alongside Railways Controlled by Network Rail.
It is sensible for all crane bases to be checked and in the first instance basic hand calculations and rule-of thumb methods will give an indication of foundation loads, including outrigger loads. As always, key operations on site need to be under the control of qualified competent staff who work to procedures provided by crane suppliers. Correct procedures for erection and dismantling must be followed.