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Why Do Most Crane & Rigging Accidents Occur?

Crane and rigging accidents killed 72 people in 2006, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. These accidents include not only people who were operating the crane, but bystanders as well.

  1. Falling Objects

    • The largest cause of accidents involving cranes and rigging was when objects fell from the crane or were dislodged by the crane and hit other people in the vicinity or the crane operators themselves. For 2006, falling objects caused 42 percent of crane related deaths.

    Falls

    • Two in 10 of the fatalities involving cranes and rigging occurred when a worker fell from the crane or rigging.

    Less Common Causes

    • About one in 10 deaths occurred when a person was caught in between equipment or objects and was crushed. Another 10 percent of fatalities were caused in a motor accident when the crane itself was being transported. Coming into contact with electricity and power lines with the crane caused 8 percent of deaths.

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