The course was intended for construction engineers, supervisors, and owners, who wanted to learn more about crane safety on construction sites, and how to develop comprehensive crane safety plans that are both safety-program-compliant and project-specific. The goal of the training was to raise awareness of engineers' and management's roles, responsibilities, and influence with regard to safety on the construction worksite—including crane safety.

• identifying the elements of a site specific crane safety plan;
• recommending best practices regarding management roles and responsibilities for crane safety on construction sites—from owner to subcontractor—to minimize accidents and raise the level of safety;
• covering hazards associated with crane operation and explaining how the crane safety plan will minimize the risk of crane accidents; and
• exploring current regulations, standards and certification programs.

Program attendees identified particular course strengths in the areas of ground bearing issues and understanding site conditions before bringing a crane to the site, hazard analysis and awareness, alternative lifting methods, lift plans and pre-lift preparation.

Earlier in the day Mr. Burkart presented the training to 30 engineers and managers working on New York State Department of Transportation projects in a session hosted by AECOM and NYSDOT.

The Long Island Branch will be organizing another crane safety training course on October 15, 2009 in Levittown, NY.