The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a short guidance note for the construction industry aimed at ensuring firms understand their aviation safety obligations when using cranes.
The guidance note draws together existing rules and regulations set out in the legislation governing aviation safety, and also includes suggestions on recommended best practice aimed at mitigating any risks to aviation caused by crane operations.
Operators are required to fit lights to cranes if they are over 150m high – no matter where they are. In some circumstances, for instance if they are close to aerodromes, smaller cranes may also need to be lit.
Operators are also required to notify aerodromes if they are erecting cranes in their vicinity, to ensure that they do not in any way interfere with airport operations and safety. All cranes of a height of 300ft or more also need to be formally notified to the wider aviation community.
Mark Swan, CAA group director of safety and airspace, said: “The vast majority of crane operators are aware of their obligations and work well with the aviation industry to ensure that safety is maintained. However, we wanted to make sure that there is an easy one-stop shop for anyone looking to check what they need to do to help to maintain the UK’s excellent aviation safety record, so we have worked with the building industry to produce this guidance.”
The CAA has worked with the Construction Plant Hire Association (CHPA) in producing the guidance note, which draws on several sources.
The guidance points out that the if a crane is located on top of another structure, it is the overall height (structure + crane) above ground level that is relevant.
It says that care should be taken when lighting structures at night to ensure that lights are visible from all directions, and that the superstructure of the crane does not obscure the aviation warning lighting from any direction.
The full guidance can be downloaded here
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