What are the Compliance requirements and risks that engineers need to know about tower cranes in an era of rapid growth?

At the height of the construction boom, there were more than 350 cranes on Melbourne construction sites. Tower crane operators were working 56 hour shifts and more. At the same time they are having to learn new skills and knowledge such as testing fire suppression units, configuring crane computers and ensuring that OHS requirements are adhered to.
 

This session will deal with a broad range of issues relating to tower cranes, covering legislation, licensing, crane design, maintenance, responsibilities and more.
 

We will also emphasise the importance of consultation. Crane operators don’t usually talk with engineers - by dealing with the what, why, where, when and who of tower cranes on site, this session will show the critical points where consultation can be utilised to reduce risk.
 

Crane operator’s increased workloads, innovative designs and important compliance requirements are risks that Engineers need to know: Let us get the conversation started.
 

Speakers

Dorothy Saristavros FIEAust. CPEng: Risk Engineering Society Committee Member, Victoria
 

Dorothy Saristavros is the Director of DS Construction Engineering Ptd Ltd., and a Fellow as well as a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineers Australia. She is also an Occupational Health Safety Consultant with vast experience in the construction industry as a Project and Construction Manager. Her consultancy extends to formulating Training Development and Delivery modules in Adult Education in the Building and Construction sectors today. She is currently a committee member of Risk Engineering Society Victorian Chapter and the Secretary of the Australia Cost Engineering Society Victorian Chapter.
 

Tony Minchin: Construction Industry High Risk Work Trainer and Assessor (Tower Crane), CFMEU Education and Training Unit
 

Tony Minchin is an experienced tower crane operator and rigger with 40 years practical experience in the construction industry.  He has worked on major projects including the Docklands stadium, the Melbourne museum and Jeff’s Shed. Tony has also worked on petro-chemical plants.  In 2001 Tony was on a Baulderstone construction site in South Melbourne where a worker was killed when counterweights came off the back of the tower crane.  This fatality turned Tony’s attention to Occupational Health and Safety and in July 2009 Tony became a Worksafe authorised trainer and assessor with the CFMEU Education and Training Unit.