Engineering Blogs

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

Stability is the cornerstone of tower crane safety. Whether it’s lifting heavy loads at high altitudes or operating in windy conditions, a crane must remain structurally sound and upright throughout its lifecycle on a construction site. Two critical engineering components ensure this: anchoring and ballasting. These systems provide the mechanical resistance needed to counteract overturning moments and dynamic loads. According to the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, the proper installation and verification of anchoring and ballast systems are mandatory prerequisites for safe operation. The CIC Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes further emphasize that these elements

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

In Hong Kong, lifting operations are governed by one of the most structured regulatory frameworks in the region: the *Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations*, commonly referred to as the FIU LALG under Cap. 59J. These regulations are designed to ensure that lifting appliances and lifting gear—such as cranes, chain blocks, ropes, hooks, slings, and shackles—are designed, maintained, tested, and operated in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of all personnel involved in or affected by lifting operations. Understanding the scope, requirements, and implications of the FIU LALG is essential

Carrying people using cranes is one of the most sensitive and strictly regulated activities in lifting operations. While cranes are primarily designed to move materials and equipment, certain situations—such as rescue operations, temporary access to high locations, or structural inspections—may tempt contractors to consider lifting personnel using a crane. However, in Hong Kong, this practice is generally prohibited unless strict conditions are met. Under the *Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (FIU LALG)* and related codes of practice, the use of lifting appliances for transporting persons is allowed only under very specific, controlled, and justified circumstances.

While tower cranes dominate the skyline of most construction projects in Hong Kong, derricks and mobile cranes also play a vital role in site lifting operations—especially where flexibility, mobility, or special lifting angles are required. Their compact size, versatility, and speed of deployment make them particularly useful in foundation works, temporary lifting setups, and short-duration projects. However, as with any lifting appliance, derricks and mobile cranes come with their own set of operational challenges and safety risks. The safe use of these machines is governed by the *Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J)*

Multiple crane lifting—also known as tandem lifting or dual crane lifting—is a high-risk lifting operation that involves using two or more cranes simultaneously to lift a single load. This method is typically employed when lifting an oversized, long, or heavy load that exceeds the capacity or stability limits of a single crane. While necessary in specific engineering scenarios, multiple crane lifting introduces complex challenges related to load distribution, synchronization, structural coordination, and safety. In Hong Kong, such operations are subject to stringent control measures under the *Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (Cap. 59J)*