Following the tower crane collapse opposite the Sacred Heart school, FAA implores politicians to abandon their lofty rhetoric, and to tackle head-on this major concern which undermines every resident’s right to peaceful possession to their property. Despite FAA’s past pleas, in 2009 crane operations are still under-regulated.

It is well known that most cranes operating in Malta, including the whole range of tower, wheel-mounted, truck-mounted, overhead, crawler, loader and telescopic cranes, are bought cheaply in Europe once they are no longer considered serviceable there. Although they are supposed to be checked and certified by professionals every six months, one wonders how this certification is issued for some cranes which are clearly in a very poor state and pose a real danger to human life and property. No wonder an increasing number of householders are reporting cranes to the police for unlawful encroachment of their ‘aria’, as they have every right to do.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that no checks are made on whether the cranes are well assembled on site. Certificates giving date of manufacture of the crane and safety certificates from abroad are not required to be submitted to any authority. Furthermore crane operators need no special training or license other than a license to drive a truck! A far cry from the standards in place at the Drydocks years ago.

Enforcement is as yet unheard of, and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), responsible for such checks, is still severely undermanned to tackle the great amount of building sites all over the island while incrimination of unscrupulous and unprofessional practice is as yet non-existent.

Currently, legislation covering cranes which are predominantly assembled and operated in densely habitable areas may be described as sketchy at best. Although OHSA in conjunction with the Chamber of Engineers has held regular training courses for crane operators, according to LN 281 of 2004 the onus for the safe operation of the crane falls under the project supervisor’s responsibility. This piece of legisaltion is however ineffective since it only directs the responsible party to minimise risk. The crane operators are also subject to a Code of Practice, however failure to comply is not an offence.

Existing regulations such as OHSA Act 2000, which do make reference to crane usage, are not specific and assign legal responsibilities to several players. Thiscreates several loopholes which have left families of tragic victims such as those of the Cathedral Street house collapse 9 years ago, still chasing proceedings in court, with no conclusion or closure in sight.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

Permalink: Under-regulated crane operations – FAA