SC&RA opposes modifications to Cincinnati building code's crane rules

SC&RA has written a letter to John Cranley, Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA to express concern about a proposed ordinance modifying the Cincinnati Building Code through amendments to sections and the introduction of new sections concerning crane operations. SC&RA noted that “some of the proposed regulations are overly onerous and impractical to modern day crane operations without any substantiated benefit to safety.”

The Association pointed out the lack of research to support the notion implicit in the proposed ordinance that the age of a crane impacts safety.

“In fact, both the U.S. based organizations representing crane manufacturers, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and its international counterpart, the European Materials Handling Federation (FEM), agree that there is no correlation between a crane’s age and crane accidents,” said the letter signed by SC&RA Vice President Beth O’Quinn. “Proper inspections and maintenance are the true factors in the safety and life of a crane, neither of which are mentioned in the proposed ordinance.”

She added that the required liability insurance coverage suggested is inconsistent with industry practice and that the proposed limitations would provide an unfair competitive advantage to larger companies by restricting smaller ones from bidding and working on projects in Cincinnati.

SC&RA’s letter concluded by requesting a meeting with the mayor before the city council’s call for a hearing on the matter. At the time, the Association would discuss the changes it recommends to the proposed ordinance and “provide additional insight as to the industry’s rationale for the changes.”

Click here to review the proposed changes to the Cincinnati Building Code and SC&RA’s letter to Mayor Cranley.