Windcrane software summary

Weather claims and wind safety

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Anybody working in the construction industry either here in the UK or anywhere else in the world is likely to know that the weather can present us with particular hazards. While rain, ice and snow are particularly dangerous to work in, we must always be aware that the wind is also likely to make conditions unsafe, particularly for those who work at height and those who operate access machinery like cranes.

It’s often the case that adverse weather conditions, especially strong winds, will lead to what’s known as NPT (that’s Non Productive Time) – downtime when it’s not safe to operate the crane due to the high winds. This can lead to delays in the project and the extra costs incurred by having the workforce unable to carry out tasks while they wait for the wind to drop and the crane to become operational once more.

Project case histories reveal that NPT days can increase the overall time for job completion by more than 100% in some instances which adds significantly to the total project costs. This means that any construction project that involves the use of a crane will need to take into account downtime that results in hours lost due to adverse weather – the total number of working hours expected to be lost to the thresholds of wind speed. The total hours lost will need to be recorded accurately with evidential weather reports so that this information can be used when the inevitable disputes arise.

These disputes are known in the industry as weather claims – inclement weather delays will need to be verified with detailed weather summaries showing the actual values and the departure times from the long term average. These downtime disputes represent a real problem in the construction industry so post project reports often rely on accurate historical weather data in order to settle any claims. This means that crane operators in particular will need an accurate record of the weather conditions throughout any project that can be referred to in order to help settle downtime disputes and claims.

A large number of companies in the construction and manufacturing industries rely on overhead cranes for lifting and transporting materials. Overhead crane accidents account for several injuries and fatalities every year and crane operators need to be aware of particular hazards that occur and follow the relevant safety procedures to avoid them.

While many accidents that involve cranes are the result of mechanical errors, inadequate experience or lack of training (all of which can be addressed), some accidents are caused by forces beyond the crane operators control, such as weather conditions, especially when there are high winds. Those who work at height using access equipment also need to be aware of the effect high winds can have and the need to minimise the risk of accidents caused by gusty conditions.

WEATHER HAZARDS

Working during windy weather involves taking extra precautionary measures and all crane operators should have the following procedures in place:

  • Procedures to respond to high wind alerts
  • Procedures to coordinate with other cranes
  • Procedures for securing cranes in high winds.

If the weather conditions are severe then it’s likely that crane operators will face significant delays in work – this will have a knock on effect on any construction site as work may come to a total standstill while the workforce is waiting around for the wind to drop and the crane to become operational once again.

THE COSTS OF ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

A Construction Trade Survey shows that activity in the construction industry decreased during the first quarter of 2013 with the impact of falling demand being intensified by poor weather conditions. When a crane is out of service due to high winds or other harsh weather conditions, the project is delayed which can be very costly and often leads to disputes between employers and contractors in relation to project delay.

The contractor may be entitled to an extension of time to complete the work necessary and this may lead to a claim for direct loss and expense, a dispute which is often stringently contested. When there is a delay to a construction project which impacts on the completion date and that delay was not caused by the contractor, then this can be seen as a ‘compensation event’ for which the contractor may be entitled to an extension of time and, in some cases, loss and expense.

While some contracts list adverse weather conditions as a relevant event, others may not. Even if adverse weather is not specifically mentioned, it may still qualify as a neutral matter which directly affects the completion date. However, contracts don’t always define the term “adverse weather”, leaving this to the discretion of the contract administrator which is a potential source of disputes.

With adverse weather conditions affecting the progress of construction projects, it’s essential that construction companies understand the rights available to them and the contractual processes which must be followed before any extension of time or additional payment can be authorised.

The construction industry is Europe’s largest industrial employer, generating nearly 10% of the European Union’s GDP and the industry plays a crucial role in the economic recovery that is so badly needed.

OPERATING IN HIGH WINDS

All cranes have a maximum design wind speed for safe operation and if the wind exceeds this limit, the crane must be taken out of service. Different types of crane, different models of the same type of crane and different configurations of the same model may operate with different maximum wind speeds. This all means that an accurate way of measuring wind speed is essential in order to operate both safely and efficiently.

HOW TO AVOID EXTRA COSTS IN CONSTRUCTION

Because the severity and duration of adverse weather conditions is notoriously difficult to predict and the weather can change so rapidly, contractors need to find other ways to keep an eye on the weather in order to ensure maximum safety on building projects. This is where WINDCRANE™ comes into play – it helps contractors to monitor wind speeds (whether on construction sites, roofs, tall structures or cranes) and ensure that the appropriate health and safety procedures are followed.

Maintaining safe levels of operation is essential in the construction industry in order to comply with health and safety legislation. Failure to maintain safe levels can lead to fatal or life-changing accidents for workers and costly compensation claims for employers. WINDCRANE™ is the ideal solution to help avoid such accidents.

WINDCRANE™ is a tried and tested wind monitoring kit that offers the following advantages:

  • Live maximum wind speed and wind direction data with total accessibility (on site and in the office) which serves to minimise downtime.
  • Instant alerts via mobile phones and computers which allows enhanced decision making processes, particularly in the area of health and safety.
  • Reliable GSM wireless communication delivering data to mobile phones.
  • The Plug and Play technology means that there is no need for specialist installation services or technical support.   Updates are carried out automatically and remotely with no changes needed to data logging equipment on site.
  • Limitless operating range via GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) signals, the default global standard for mobile communication in Europe and most other countries and the speediest and most reliable method of data transfer available.
  • Full historical back up of events with automatic messages sent to site managers and crane operators which results in an improved communications process. Wind speed can be viewed anytime, anywhere and historical information can be exported in an easy format for use on internal and external reports.
  • Tough and durable IP67 rated kit to offer total protection against dust and water immersion – the robust hardware is built to last.

WINDCRANE™ is supplied pre-wired and ready to install and provides crane operators, site managers and contractors with real time wind speed and wind gust data. This allows construction sites to comply with health and safety policy and ensure that safe and efficient work practices are adhered to during adverse weather conditions. Moreover, the WINDCRANE™ kit is 100% mobile – it can be removed and remounted in just a few minutes and can be used on multiple sites within any time period.

WINDCRANE™ allows users to view up-to-date, real-time information via a dashboard display and the kit will issue alerts to notify users of approaching maximum safe wind speeds. The kit can be powered by mains supply or a solar panel battery pack. Instant wind data is displayed on the dashboard and can also be accessed by office computers and mobile phones.

As for avoiding costs incurred due to downtime and any ensuing project delays, WINDCRANE™ provides historical information in a data management portal that can be used to provide accurate information during disputes.

Wind speed and direction is measured with an anemometer and recorded using WINDCRANE’s mobile wind data logger. The wind data is sent remotely to our online data management web portal and dashboard display via GSM. The data is wirelessly transmitted to the cloud with 24/7 backup providing an efficient and reliable solution with no risk of hardware malfunction for the user.

entertainment wind control

Safer Outdoor Events with Live Weather Monitoring

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The weather is one of the most challenging aspects to manage when dealing with outdoor events. Usually, events involve large structures, massive crowds and a great deal of equipment.

Weather-related incidents in open fields where assets or property can be damaged have very little risk for human life. However, outdoor events, where hundreds or even thousands of persons may be present at once, have a much higher chance of injury or death from weather-related accidents.

Outdoor events are generally planned based on weather forecasts, but this comes with several limitations:

  • Weather forecasting has limited accuracy and provides no information on short-duration and high-risk events, such as wind gusts.
  • Several factors must be weighted before deciding to cancel an outdoor event. If the decision is taken based only on weather forecasts, there is no data measured on-site to justify it. The event organiser can handle claims more effectively if there is hard evidence that weather conditions affected the event.

Stages and Harsh Weather: A Risky Combination

Most stages are temporary structures, just like cranes, and therefore they are vulnerable to gusts. Stages have a combination of mechanical properties that make them very vulnerable to strong winds:

  • They use large fabric sheets as temporary walls and ceilings. Under the wind, sheets can become sails and are exposed to significant drag forces. The force may be capable of ripping them apart or bringing down the entire stage structure.
  • The canopy of concert stages is very heavy since it bears the weight of spotlights and audio equipment. Since the underlying structure is much lighter, the structure can only tolerate a small amount of deformation before collapsing.

A very simple solution is to lower the canopy in response to strong winds, and the structure can be designed to allow this without being fully dismounted. On-site wind monitoring can be used in conjunction to determine if local wind conditions are unsafe for a concert stage.

Lack of Standardisation in the Outdoor Event Industryoutdoor event

PLASA, the Professional Lighting and Sound Association, is an international organisation for companies who provide technology and services for outdoor events. They have offices in Europe and North America, with more than 425 members in total.

Although PLASA provides best practices and recommendations on how to conduct outdoor events safety, these do not always translate into government-enforced standards. If PLASA guidelines are optional, event organisers may overlook them to cut costs, makings outdoor events riskier. However, an accident is considerably more expensive than prevention: the outdoor stage may be destroyed completely, and the organiser may face lawsuits if there is human damage. In addition, the negative publicity after the incident can take the company responsible for it out of business.

Advantages of Live Weather Monitoring

A live weather monitoring system like WINDCRANE can make outdoor venues much safer, and there are many reasons why:

  • Event organisers get a real-time snapshot of weather conditions second by second, instead of relying on forecasts and warnings from the local meteorology service. Live data gathered on-site provides a better basis to take decisions.
  • WINDCRANE includes a mobile application with programmable alerts, which can be installed by key personnel on their smartphones. If dangerous weather conditions are detected they can act immediately, preventing accidents or minimising the damage in case they occur.
  • If an event was cancelled due to bad weather, the data logged by WINDCRANE lets the organiser handle claims more effectively. In some cases, it may be possible to avoid costly litigation with the data gathered.
Crane working in New York City

Why Cranes Keep Falling

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In the wake of New York City’s latest disaster, crane safety experts weigh in on leading causes of crane collapses.

On February 5, a windy day in Lower Manhattan, a 565-foot crane collapsed and killed a man when it struck the parked car in which he sat. Crews had been planning to secure the Worth Steet crane because the forecast projected sustained winds at stronger than 25 mph, but they were too late.

After the collapse, Mayor Bill de Blasio required crawler cranes, the mobile type of crane that can move around a work site, to cease operation and transition to safety mode anytime there are sustained winds of more than 20 mph or gusts of more than 30 mph forecast in New York City. “No building is worth a person’s life,” de Blasio says. “We are going to ensure the record boom in construction and growth does not come at the expense of safety.”

The fact is, though, that deadly crane crashes are far too common. Some of the largest crane collapses on record have the most devastating effects in big cities, such as a 2008 New York accident that killed seven people and destroyed buildings when a 200-foot-tall crane collapsed. Such events highlight the awesome and scary power of cranes, especially in dense urban areas where these ever-growing machines (record-holders now stand more than 300 feet tall, telescoping to more than 500 feet) work right next to pedestrians and drivers. It’s a recipe for danger if crews aren’t exceedingly careful.

So why does this keep happening?

(Taken from popularmechanics.com – Read the full article)

cranes safety

Deadly TriBeCa Crane Crash Caused by Operator’s Safety Failures: Feds

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LOWER MANHATTAN — The operator of the 565-long crane that crashed in TriBeCa, killing two people in February, had no policy to to ensure proper use of the crane in high winds, and was violating manufacturer protocols at the time of the incident, federal safety investigators found.

The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration hit Galasso Trucking & Rigging with two “serious” violations, issued on Aug. 3, related to the deadly crash along two city blocks on Feb. 5, ABC News first reported.

Inspectors found that Galasso exposed employees to “hazards associated with crane failure” because they didn’t have policies in place to operate the crane in accordance with the manufacturers’ protocols, according to OSHA violation documents.

(Taken from dnainfo.com – Read the full article)

Live weather monitoring for outdoor filming

Weather Monitoring for Outdoor Film Sets

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The film industry can be very profitable, but it is not free from risks. Like in any occupation, there are factors that must be monitored to provide a safe working environment for staff. Many movie sets are found in outdoor locations, where the weather has an impact on the filming process. There are even times where the plot requires scenes in locations with extreme weather, such as deserts and snowy peaks.

The film industry has a distinct set of safety challenges, and the weather has an impact on nearly all of them. The following are some examples of risks with outdoor the movie sets:

  • Many films involve stunts with inherent risks. These risks are increased when the stunts involve high falls or vehicles. Strong winds can be especially risky when a film involves balloons, helicopters or planes.
  • Controlled fire or explosions are required in some films, and controlling them becomes more difficult with unfavourable weather.
  • Movies often involve child actors, and this requires special safety considerations. It must be considered that children could also be involved in weather-related accidents and more seriously harmed than adults.
  • The film industry uses expensive equipment, for example, scaffolding, tall ladders and video camera cranes that must be safeguarded from harsh weather.

Weather monitoring provides three main benefits for outdoor movie sets:

  1. The filming process can be carried out with less disruption
  2. Safer conditions are provided for the actors and staff
  3. Equipment is protected from damage

Movie Sets in Extreme Temperature Environments

The weather must always be monitored in outdoor film sets, but it requires special attention when the script requires that part of the movie be filmed in an extreme weather environment. The temperature is already a risk by itself, and the thermal sensation can become unbearable with the influence of wind speed or humidity.

Cold Weather Risks

filming outdoorsFor movie sets in cold environments, one of the main risks is low temperature combined with strong gusts. Careless filming in cold environments can expose actors and staff members to two life-threatening conditions: frostbite and hypothermia.

Protecting humans from chilling winds involves monitoring two key conditions: ambient temperature and wind speed. As the ambient temperature decreases, dangerous conditions are created with lower wind speeds. For example, at a wind chill of 0°C, the risk of frostbite is very low, but human skin freezes in less than 2 minutes at a wind chill below -55°C.

Periodic warm-up breaks are a key requirement for working safely in low-temperature environments, and the film industry is no exception. The frequency of these breaks increases as outdoor temperature and wind conditions become more extreme.

Hot Weather Risks

Movie sets in hot environments are exposed to a different set of risks, but weather monitoring can effective at preventing them.

There is a limit to how fast the human body can get rid of heat, and several risky conditions present themselves with excessive body heat accumulation:

  • Some conditions are relatively mild. For example, heat rash occurs when a hot temperature is combined with high humidity, and heat cramps occur when excessive sweating starts to upset the balance of body fluids.
  • Heat exhaustion is more serious. It occurs when the natural cooling capacity of the human body is reaching its limit.
  • Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer get rid of heat by itself and has been drained of fluids and salts – it is a medical emergency and there is a risk of death if the person is not attended.

All the conditions above are bodily responses to extreme heat, and it is important to note that both wind speed and relative humidity influence the sensation of heat. All three variables can be monitored effectively by WINDCRANE.

Weather Monitoring for Outdoor Locations

Weather monitoring is the only way to ensure safe conditions in outdoor film sets. This is especially important when filming in extreme temperature environments. WINDCRANE is a highly versatile weather monitoring solution, capable of measuring any weather variable in addition to wind speed and direction.

WINDCRANE is dust-tight, waterproof and corrosion resistant, and comes fully configured with GSM capabilities and cloud data services. Our technology is possible thanks to a decade-long track record at Logic Energy, experts in monitoring hardware and software. More specifically, smart data management and integration with mobile applications.