THE JOURNAL of Commerce (JOC) says cargo handling experts have launched a concerted effort to reduce injuries and equipment damage in port operations, with a crane safety initiative.
The TT Club, the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) and ICHCA International announced on 11th November 2009, a joint initiative to establish minimum safety standards for quay container cranes.
The joint project is said to have been established, to enable agreement on common minimum safety specifications which should be standard on all quayside container cranes. The project is aimed at helping the port and terminal industry minimise injuries and incident cost over the life of the cranes.
JOC claims initial work will involve agreeing upon a list of safety features which should be standardised. Thereafter, the partners will seek a commitment from all quayside container crane suppliers on the baseline standard specification in relation to safety that will be used in tendering.
PEMA says the issue the project seeks to address is developing a benchmarked minimum standard safety specification for quayside container cranes.
This may include issues such as boom anti-collision sensors, appropriate interlocking and gate locks between the crane cabin and boom, safe stairway inclines and handrail heights, gantry drive and braking systems, storm brakes, storm pins and tie-downs.
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