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In dense urban construction sites, where multiple tower cranes are required to operate within limited space, overlapping crane zones present a significant hazard. These zones, defined as areas where the jibs, counterweights, or hoisted loads of two or more cranes may intersect, pose a high risk of collision, structural damage, and potentially fatal accidents. According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, and further emphasized in the CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes, preventing such accidents requires a combination of precise planning, engineering controls, technological systems, and disciplined site coordination.

The foundation of a tower crane is one of the most critical structural elements in a construction project. Unlike mobile or crawler cranes, tower cranes rely on a fixed base to provide the necessary stability to lift heavy loads at great heights and large radii. If the foundation is poorly designed or inadequately constructed, the entire structure can become unstable, leading to catastrophic failure. According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and the CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes, proper foundation design is not just an engineering requirement, but a legal and operational necessity

Lifting appliances such as tower cranes, mobile cranes, hoists, and derricks are essential tools in modern construction. However, their safe operation depends not only on engineering performance and trained personnel but also on proper marking and certification. In Hong Kong, these requirements are governed by the *Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J)*, commonly known as FIU LALG. Understanding and complying with the marking and certification standards is a legal obligation for equipment owners and contractors and plays a critical role in preventing lifting-related accidents and ensuring transparency

Planning a safe tower crane lifting operation is not just best practice—it's a legal and moral obligation to protect workers and the public from serious accidents. In Hong Kong, the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J) provide a structured framework for ensuring tower crane safety at every stage of lifting. This article outlines a comprehensive, step-by-step approach for planning a safe lifting operation involving tower cranes, drawing from official guidelines and industry best practices.

When operating tower cranes on construction sites, one of the most critical safety concepts that all site managers, crane operators, and lifting supervisors must understand is the Safe Working Load (SWL). According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes issued by the Labour Department of Hong Kong, the SWL represents the maximum load that a crane is legally and mechanically permitted to lift under specific conditions. Exceeding this value risks structural failure, tipping, or collapse, which can cause serious injury or death, as well as significant financial and legal consequences.

In tower crane operations, especially during the high-risk phases of erection, dismantling, and height alteration, the “competent person” plays a legally defined and operationally critical role. According to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J), a competent person must be appointed to ensure that these operations are carried out safely and in full compliance with Hong Kong's construction safety laws. The Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes (2011) and the CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes (2010) further elaborate on the qualifications, responsibilities, and duties expected

Tower crane operators perform one of the most technically demanding and safety-sensitive roles on any construction site. They are not simply machine handlers—they are central figures in the entire lifting operation. According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes (2011), the crane operator must control the crane in strict accordance with safety procedures, lifting plans, and regulatory requirements. The operator’s responsibilities begin before the first lift and continue until the crane is safely parked after operations conclude. The tower crane operator is required to hold a valid certificate recognized under Regulation 15A(1)

Tower crane height alteration, commonly referred to as “climbing,” is a complex and critical process that enables a crane to rise in tandem with the progress of a high-rise structure. This operation involves the insertion or removal of mast sections, allowing the crane to gain additional height or adjust for structural limitations. According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, climbing must be carried out under strict procedural control and technical supervision due to the inherent risks associated with shifting the crane’s center of gravity and structural stability. This blog outlines a clear step-by-step guide

Pre-delivery checking of tower cranes is a mandatory process that ensures the equipment to be used on-site is safe, structurally sound, and compliant with legal and manufacturer requirements before it is delivered to or erected at a construction site. In accordance with the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and the CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes, this step is considered essential in reducing equipment-related incidents, especially in high-rise construction where the consequences of crane failure can be catastrophic. The pre-delivery checking process must be carried out by a qualified Competent Mechanical Engineer (CME)

Selecting the appropriate tower crane for a construction project is a critical decision that affects not only lifting efficiency and site logistics, but also site safety, compliance, and project costs. As outlined in Section 6 of the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, the type, configuration, and operational characteristics of the crane must be carefully matched to the project’s technical requirements and environmental constraints. Poor crane selection can lead to operational inefficiencies, lifting hazards, or in worst cases, accidents resulting from instability or overloading. This blog outlines the key factors to consider when choosing