Report Blames Crane Collapse on Sling Misuse

[IMGCAP(1)]NEW YORK CITY-A Department of Buildings report issued Wednesday blames sling misuse and other rigging errors for the East Side tower crane collapse that killed seven people in March 2008. Issued a month after buildings commissioner Robert LiMandri outlined 41 recommendations to improve construction site safety, the report will be followed by a series of meetings with the construction industry.

The report says that an investigation by Arup & Partners Consulting Engineers found that DOB crane inspection and permitting protocols would not have identified the rigging errors that caused the collapse at 303 E. 51st St. Those errors included the use of four synthetic slings instead of the eight chain blocks specified by the manufacturer to support an 11,279-lb. steel collar, prior physical damage on one of the slings, improper attachment of the slings and a lack of padding for the slings.

Arup’s investigation concluded that the tower crane installation design met industry standards and was not a cause of the crane collapse, which occurred after the crew had “jumped” the crane, or extended its height. “The collapse of the tower was initiated when the polyester web slings supporting a steel collar at the 18th floor level failed, allowing the collar to fall,” according to the DOB report.