Special Report: Crane Safety

Towers of metal reaching to the heavens. They puncture the horizon from east to west, north to south. But what comes up...can come down.

One accident in 1999 was caught on video during the construction of Miller Park in Milwaukee. Three men died as a huge section of retractable roof was hoisted on a windy day.  

And two tower cranes came tumbling down in Manhattan recently. That incident, late last week, killed two workers, including the crane operator.

Also on the Upper East Side, seven people died when another tower crane crashed in March. And in Massachusetts, a large crane fell during the big dig in 1999.

So many questions, like is the equipment sound? Are the operators properly trained? Could it happen here?

The answer is yes, it's possible. And some workers on the ground are nervous.

John Walsh, Union Laborer
"Don't like to see anyone get hurt. You just don't know when they're going to come down though."

A 7News investigation found officials in Boston and Massachusetts don't even inspect cranes.  

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does require a thorough yearly inspection. But it doesn't have to be a government inspector or hired expert, it only has to be a "competent person."

Sounds pretty vague, and even OSHA admitted, in this clarification letter: "There is wide latitude...as to the definition of a competent person."

State officials agree there's room for improvement in federal regulations.

Mark Mooney, State DPS Chief of Inspections/Mechanical
"Clearly that's an area that would need to be tightened up. I'd recommend that be tightened up."

Mooney says Massachusetts is in better shape than most because the Commonwealth requires that crane operators be licensed. And the rules are about to get tougher.

Mark Mooney, State DPS Chief of Inspections/Mechanical
"Currently operators pay a fee to renew their license, but in the future they'll be required to take continuing education, as well as practical proficiency assessment."

Jonathan Hall, 7News
"A field test?"

Mark Mooney, State DPS Chief of Inspections/Mechanical
"Yes."

We got this statement late Wednesday: "Crane safety is an important concern for OSHA and it is being addressed."

And crane companies say safety is priority one.

Jack Good, Shaughnessy/Amquip Regional Manager
"We have our own safety people. We inspect each crane every day."

This man, who has put up tower cranes for 30 years, says the recent accidents have him re-doubling his safety checks.

Doug Hittinger, Capco Steel Superintendent
"You can't make a mistake. You gotta be tuned up, and know what you're doing."

7News obtained these internal documents from OSHA. Shockingly, there's been only one tower crane inspection in almost 3 years.

We discovered OSHA doesn't normally inspect cranes unless there's been an accident or a complaint. OSHA refused our request for an interview.

Jonathan Hall, 7News.

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