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Safety requirements for the use of remote-control tower crane systems

With rapid advancement of technologies, the Labour Department (“LD”) is pleased to note that the construction industry has been gradually adopting technologies to enhance site safety. Recently, it has come to our notice that some contractors have introduced the Remote-Control System (“Control System”) for tower cranes erected on their construction sites. Together with the utilisation of artificial intelligence technology, lifting safety and work efficiency are enhanced, while simultaneously improving the working environment for crane operators.

Contractors/employers are reminded that when the Control System is used at construction sites, they should pay attention and take relevant safety measures to ensure the operations of the tower cranes and their lifting work are safe. Among others, the safety measures should include but not limited to the following:

  • The appointed Control System provider must obtain approval from the relevant tower crane manufacturer or its duly authorised agent before making any modifications to the existing operating system;
  • The design, installation, testing and operation of the Control System should be safe and secure before use, which include the following:
    • The Control System network (regardless of wireless or wired) can be operated stably, reliably and appropriately on the site;
    • When operating in remote-control mode, the latency of signal transmission would not exceed its design limit and induce unsafe lifting operations;
    • The Control System should be equipped with a fail-safe system. If the design limit of latency of signal transmission is exceeded or the power supply is interrupted, the tower crane must at once cease its operation automatically;
    • The operation of the tower crane should be allowed to be switched from the remote-control mode to the conventional on-board operation mode at any time;
    • The Control System and its related equipment should be regularly and comprehensively tested, inspected, properly maintained and repaired to ensure their safety and reliability;
    • The operating cabin of the Control System should be well-protected to prevent operator from distraction during the operation. Strict control of access to operating cabin and prohibition of unauthorised entry should also be fully implemented; and
    • The working environment, work arrangements, etc. of the remote-control driver’s cabin should comply with the requirements set out in the relevant occupational safety and health (“OSH”) legislation and LD’s publications;
  • The remote-control tower crane operators shall hold a valid Certificate of Crane Operator (Type of Crane: Tower Crane) issued under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations (“LALGR”), and have received adequate and specific training for the particular Control System provided by the Control System provider or its duly authorised agent. Specific training shall include both theoretical learning and practical training. The operators are deemed adequately trained only upon passing the examination of competency assessment for operating the Control System; and
  • The remote-control tower crane operators should also complete the refresher training of the Control System at appropriate intervals, pursuant to the recommendation of the Control System provider or its duly authorised agent.

Contractors/employers are also strongly urged to comply with OSH legislation and relevant publications issued by LD, including LALGR, the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, as well as the Guidance Notes on Inspection, Thorough Examination and Testing of Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear, etc. These relevant requirements, among others, include carrying out routine checks on tower cranes at the beginning of each shift or working day; conducting weekly inspections, regular examinations and tests; conducting task-specific risk assessments; and establishing safe working procedures to ensure safe tower crane operation and lifting operation. Furthermore, contractors should safely conduct regular and routine tests for the Control System in accordance with the recommendations of the Control System provider and actual circumstances. These tests conducted on the Control System should be properly recorded in the statutory forms under LALGR.

Under the general duty provisions of OSH legislation, it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety and health at work of persons employed by him. Employers who commit relevant offences can be subject to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years. Therefore, if contractors/employers use a Remote-Control Tower Crane System, they shall provide and maintain a safe plant and system of work for employees and relevant personnel to ensure their work safety.