Have you ever wondered what happens when giant cranes collapse at construction sites? Recently, several devastating crane accidents in China and at Chinese-owned facilities have highlighted critical safety concerns. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable incidents and what they reveal about workplace safety and corporate responsibility.

Crane Collapses on to MSC Feeder Alongside in Chinese …

Product Details: The incident involved a gantry crane malfunction at the port of Yantian in China, which collapsed onto the MSC feeder ship MSC Riona. The MSC Riona is a 23,000 dwt vessel with a capacity of 1,730 TEU, built in 1998 and acquired by MSC in 2021. It operates a route between China, Singapore, and the Philippines. The crane collapse occurred during container handling preparations around 8:40 AM on September 16, 2024, resulting in several containers falling into the harbor and others being damaged on the ship and dock.

Cons:
– The crane malfunction caused significant disruptions to port operations, particu…
– Several containers were knocked into the harbor, and others were damaged on the…
– Operations involving the MSC Riona and two similar gantry cranes were suspended…
– The vessel had previously been cited for multiple deficiencies, including issues…

Crane collapses at Keelung port

Product Details: The incident involved a China Container Terminal Corporation’s (CCTC) Ship-To-Shore (STS) crane that collapsed after being hit by another crane being delivered by the Chinese-flagged heavy load carrier, Yuzhou Qi Hang. The new STS crane was intended for installation at Keelung Port’s West Pier 20. The existing crane, owned by CCTC, was shut down at the time of the incident and was waiting to be replaced. The accident occurred on October 14, 2024, and fortunately, there were no casualties. All affected machines and cargo were fully insured and covered by insurance and notarisation.

Pros:
– The new STS crane was fully insured, which will help in covering the costs of th…
– The incident highlighted the importance of rigorous safety and maintenance pract…

Cons:
– The collapse of the crane caused significant operational and financial impacts,…
– The accident resulted in damage to several containers and disrupted the movement…

Barge involved in Keelung port crane collapse wrecked off …

Product Details: The incident involved a container gantry crane collapse at Keelung Port’s Pier 20. The Yuzhou Qi Hang barge carrier was transporting a newly purchased gantry crane for the China Container Terminal Corporation when it collided with an existing onshore crane, causing it to collapse. The new crane was intended to replace an older one.

Pros:
– No casualties or injuries were reported.
– The port operations were quickly adjusted to minimize disruptions by moving bert…

Cons:
– The incident caused significant damage estimated at NT$300 million (US$9.3 milli…
– The collapse disrupted container shipping operations at Piers 20 and 21.
– The barge involved later ran aground in bad weather, complicating further operat…

Container crane collapses at Keelung Port

18 dead after crane collapses at construction site in …

Product Details: The incident reported is a crane collapse at a construction site, not a product review. The crane involved was a Liebherr LR 1300 crawler crane with a 194 feet main boom and a 371 feet luffing jib.

Cons:
– The crane collapsed due to the operator’s failure to follow DOB regulations and…
– The operator lowered the main boom to a 72° angle, putting the crane at its stab…
– The collapse resulted in one fatality, three injured pedestrians, and significan…

Gantry Crane Collapses On Containership At China’s …

Product Details: The incident involved a gantry crane collapsing onto the MSC Riona, a 1,730 TEU feeder ship, at Yantian Port in southern China on September 16, 2024. The vessel, built in 1998 and acquired by MSC in 2021, operates between China, Singapore, and the Philippines. The crane’s arm collapsed while preparing to handle containers, causing several containers to fall into the water and others to be damaged onboard and on the dock. No injuries were reported. Port operations for the MSC Riona and two other gantry cranes of similar age and type were suspended. The incident did not appear to be

caused by the vessel, despite previous issues with its propulsion engines that were resolved in May 2024.

Cons:
– The gantry crane malfunction resulted in significant disruption to port operatio…
– Several containers fell into the water and others were damaged, causing delays a…
– The incident raised concerns about port security and operating protocols, highli…
– The collapse of the crane and the subsequent damage to the vessel and containers…

Crane collapse at Yantian

Product Details: The incident involved a 1998-built feeder boxship, the MSC Riona, with a capacity of 1,730 TEU. The ship was on an intra-Asia service, calling at Shenzhen’s Yantian port, when part of a giant ship-to-shore crane collapsed onto the vessel around 8:40 am. The crane collapse led to several containers falling into the sea and others being damaged on the ship and the dock. No injuries were reported.

Cons:
– The crane collapse caused significant disruptions to port operations, particular…
– Several containers were knocked into the sea, and others were damaged on the shi…
– The incident led to the suspension of operations involving the MSC Riona and two…
– The crane’s collapse may have been due to mechanical failure or other unspecifie…

China bridge construction project: a crane collapsed …

Product Details: The incident involved a tower crane collapse at a bridge construction project in southwest China, resulting in 6 fatalities and 5 injuries.

Cons:
– The crane collapse led to significant loss of life and injuries.
– The accident highlights safety concerns in construction projects.

Crane Collapse Kills 36 in Shanghai Shipyard

Product Details: People’s Daily Online is a comprehensive internet media platform launched on January 1, 1997. It offers news in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic. The platform provides various forms of media such as text, pictures, animations, audio, and video. It is supported by over 70 bureaus globally and covers topics like politics, economy, society, and culture.

Pros:
– Multilingual support with 16 versions in 15 languages
– Comprehensive coverage of news across various categories
– Global reach with bureaus and studios in multiple countries
– Diverse media formats including text, pictures, animations, audio, and video
– Interactive features such as microblogging, forums, and mobile services

Cons:
– Limited accessibility to certain regions due to internet restrictions
– Potential bias in reporting due to its affiliation with the Communist Party of C…
– Overwhelming amount of information which can be difficult to navigate

Tower crane collapses during lifting process, killing 6 in China

Product Details: The incident involves a tower crane collapse during a construction project in China.

Cons:
– Resulted in the loss of six lives.
– Caused significant disruption to the construction project.
– Highlighting potential safety issues with crane operations.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs About Crane Collapses in China

What are the common causes of crane collapses in China?

Crane collapses in China are often attributed to several key factors, including operator error, lack of adequate health and safety training, and improper maintenance of the cranes. Additionally, operating in hazardous weather conditions, exceeding the manufacturer’s loading specifications, and the use of obsolete or second-hand cranes can also lead to accidents. These issues are exacerbated by lax enforcement of safety regulations and corruption.

How frequent are crane collapses in China, and what are the consequences?

Crane collapses are alarmingly frequent in China, resulting in significant numbers of deaths and injuries each year. For instance, in recent years, there have been multiple incidents where crane collapses have led to the deaths of several people and injured many more. These accidents highlight the severe disregard for health and safety regulations in the country.

What role does workplace safety play in preventing crane collapses?

Workplace safety is crucial in preventing crane collapses. Proper training for operators, regular maintenance of cranes, and adherence to safety protocols can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. However, in China, workplace safety is often compromised due to lax enforcement, poor inspection, and a lack of adequate safety equipment.

How do economic factors contribute to crane safety issues in China?

Economic factors, such as fierce competition among construction firms, have led to reduced profit margins, resulting in lower pay for operators and reduced budgets for crane maintenance. This has driven the use of obsolete and second-hand cranes, particularly in less-developed areas, increasing the risk of accidents.

What steps are being taken to improve crane safety in China?

Efforts are being made to improve crane safety, including calls for better enforcement of health and safety regulations and the implementation of collective contracts that stipulate the responsibilities of contractors. There is also a push for regular maintenance and inspection of cranes, as well as proper training for operators to ensure safer working conditions. However, more needs to be done to address the systemic issues contributing to these accidents.