Following the toppling of a crane at a construction site in South Brisbane recently, Engineers Australia asked Chair of the Structural College Queensland Division Joseph Tam MIEAust CPEng RPEQ MIStructE MICE to outline Engineers Australia’s current advisory role in Work Health and Safety Queensland’s (WHSQ) review of the Tower Crane Code of Practice 2006.
Joseph Tam MIEAust CPEng RPEQ MIStructE MICE
Joseph Tam has been a chartered civil and structural engineer for over 30 years. His experience in structures covers the design and construction of commercial, residential and industrial buildings, deep basements and shafts, foundations and temporary works, and highway and pedestrian bridges. Joseph has worked for consultants, contractors, governments and statutory bodies both in Australia and overseas. Joseph currently works for Seqwater as the Principal Supply Planner, responsible for planning major water infrastructure to meet South East Queensland’s water demands for the next 30 years. Joseph has been a member of Engineers Australia since 1990 and served as the Deputy Chair for the Ipswich Regional Group before becoming the Chair of the Structural College Queensland Division.
Joseph has completed the first review of the draft Code with the support of his committee members. On behalf of Engineers Australia, Joseph made specific recommendations to WHSQ on the requirements for design/design review, certification/inspection and ties/foundations for tower cranes. Joseph also emphasised that the requirements for second-hand imported cranes should not be inferior to new ones. Over the past decade, there has been a number of tower crane failures/near misses both in Australia and overseas. Joseph suggested WHSQ take into account subsequent lessons learnt and measures implemented by others in the process of reviewing the Code.
Why is the Tower Crane Code of Practice review required?
The existing Code was published in 2006. The purpose of the review is to identify possible gaps or deficiencies in the Code and to ensure that the Code reflects current industry practice and health and safety standards.
What is Engineers Australia’s role in the Tower Crane Code of Practice review?
Engineers Australia’s role is to offer engineering comment and advice on the Code with a view to ensuring the Code adequately covers every aspect in terms of design, construction, erection, commissioning, operations, inspection and maintenance of tower cranes.
Who is Engineers Australia working with in the course of the review?
Engineers Australia and Consult Australia have both been invited by WHSQ to review the Code. The Structural College Queensland took on this role on behalf of Engineers Australia.
Where is the review currently at?
Engineers Australia provided its first round of comments to WHSQ on 4 April 2016, and attended a meeting with WHSQ and Consult Australia on 21 April 2016. WHSQ advised that they will be discussing the issues raised with their committee working on the Code and will provide a response to each of the comments raised in due course.
When is the review to be completed?
The outcomes and time frames of the review have not yet been finalised.
Who can members contact if they have questions or comments regarding the draft Code?
Should members have any enquiries or comments about the draft Code, they are welcome to contact Engineers Australia.
Engineers Australia will update members as the review progresses.
Image: stock image.