WASHINGTON, DC -- While cranes play an important role across various industries, the complex dynamic between workers, machinery and the environment, combined with high task difficulty, contributes to an increased risk of workplace incidents.

In fact, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, or CFOI, reported of the nearly 5,500 fatal occupational injuries in 2022, the highest number of fatalities occurred in the transportation and material moving industry, followed by the construction industry. Further, the costs associated with a crane-related fatality amounts to over $4 million, according to the Konecranes Training Institute.

Recognizing how dangerous the crane industry can be, the National Safety Council partnered with the NCCCO Foundation, a nationally recognized organization that promotes safety through education, research and workforce development, to advance the NSC mission of eliminating the leading causes of preventable death and injury. As part of the collaboration, NSC released a new report through its Work to Zero initiative, Potential Technology Solutions to Address Hazards in the Crane Industry.

“While there are many serious risks associated with the crane industry – ranging from electrocution and boom collapses to crane overturns and being struck by a moving load –it’s clear more work is needed to improve safety in this important field,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC. “There’s no better way to glean insights about potential solutions to mitigate risks than by learning from those impacted, which is why we partnered with the NCCCO Foundation to survey workers in the crane industry and identify hazards and technology innovations to reduce injuries.”

In 2023, Work to Zero and the NCCCO Foundation surveyed more than 2,000 workers with active certifications in crane operations to examine the current state of the industry and identify the top hazardous situations and risks contributing to injuries. This report builds on these findings to explore potential solutions to address risks and understand best practices to protect workers. In total, 13 technology innovations were identified to have the potential to eliminate or mitigate risks within the crane industry, in addition to increasing operational efficiency and maximizing the return on investment for companies implementing these solutions. The 13 technologies include:
● Anti-Two Block Systems
● Camera Systems and Computer Vision
● Drones
● Fatigue Monitoring Wearables
● Ground Penetrating Radar
● Load Moment Indicator Systems
● Load Rotation and Maneuvering Devices
● Location Geofencing
● Proximity Sensors
● Robotics
● Virtual and Augmented Reality
● Vital Signs Monitoring Wearables
● Wind Speed Indicators

“The new report provides tangible ways for those working in the industry to use technology to address and reduce the most common hazards facing those working in and around cranes,” said T.J. Cantwell, executive director of the NCCCO Foundation. “We are happy that our work with the Work to Zero initiative at NSC is continuing to provide new information and resources that will improve safety.”

In addition to this report, NSC and the NCCCO Foundation also developed two case studies highlighting the impact of technology in the crane field, including:
● Use of Drones for Crane Safety, which explores how investing in drones can facilitate both lift planning and emergency response planning
● Camera Solution for Operating in the Blind, which examines how technology can allow operators to view real-time video footage of the worksite and provide direct visibility of a load, the surrounding area and potential blind spots

These data-driven resources build on the Work to Zero Safety Innovation Journey to help organizations assess risks, identify technology solutions and ready workplaces for implementation. As the crane industry continues to navigate major safety challenges, NSC and the NCCCO Foundation plan to continue to work together to educate those working in the crane industry and employers about potential workplace hazards and technology solutions that can help minimize risks.

Funded by the McElhattan Foundation, the Work to Zero initiative aims to eliminate workplace fatalities through the use of technology. To learn more about creating a safer workplace, visit nsc.org/worktozero.