OKAZ/SAUDI GAZETTE JEDDAH — In the wake of the deadly crane accident in Makkah in September, the Civil Defense has instructed construction contractors not to use tower cranes during high winds to ensure the safety of workers. A statement from the Civil Defense Directorate said companies must wait until wind speeds reach safe levels before using cranes. Investors in the construction sector have been told to make sure that any cranes used are designed to withstand strong winds. The statement said tower cranes should be designed to withstand thunderstorms, must comply with the Kingdom's construction code and should have indicator lights to ensure aviation security and safety of the crane. The statement was distributed through the Kingdom's various chambers of commerce and industry. It comes after the collapse of a huge crane at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Sept. 11. The accident killed 107 people and injured 250 others, most of them foreign pilgrims. Civil Defense officials said heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, caused the world's second largest crane to crash into the mosque filled with worshippers at the peak of the Haj season. The Civil Defense statement said companies should not use wood or other inflammable material as a bridge between a tower and cranes and that cranes should have reserve generators. Crane operators have also been told they must have adequate training, the necessary certificates, should wear protective equipment. Copies of operation and maintenance manuals should be made available to them. The statement said contracting companies should check a crane's capacity and brake system regularly. Adequate fire-fighting equipment should be available nearby, it added.
