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Overloading leads to catastrophic failure of crane boom

The United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published the following safety flash regarding an incident in which a crane boom collapsed after being massively overloaded. Investigation revealed a number of causes, one being that an incorrect load chart was used at the time of the incident. There were no injuries.

The safety flash can be downloaded here.

Members may wish to look at the following similar incidents (key words: crane, boom, failure, overload):


IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.