A SAFETY authority has announced two incidents of crane operators accidentally releasing crane hooks.
No injuries were recorded in the incidents, but there was high risk of injury, according to the Department of Primary Industries (NSWDPI) mine safety operations branch.
In the first incident the crane was being used to demobilise a demountable building using the main hoist and hook.
The second incident occurred when maintenance personnel were attempting to remove the engine from a large excavator using the main hoist and hook.
The Branch said both cranes were fitted with free fall capabilities which could be accidentally activated.
The Branch recommends that cranes with free fall capabilities are interlocked to prevent further accidents from hook free fall.
N Rob Regan
Director
Mine safety operations Branch
mine.safetyalert@dpi.nsw.gov.au