Crane accidents remain a critical concern in the construction and heavy-lifting industries worldwide. With economic recovery gaining momentum in 2021, the crane industry saw increased activity—and unfortunately, a rise in crane-related incidents. Below, we highlight 11 of the most notable crane accidents from January and February 2021.
1. Tower Crane Stability Threatened in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Date: February 19, 2021
A Terex hammerhead tower crane slated for dismantling began to tilt dangerously backward during the jack-down process, raising fears of a potential collapse. Emergency teams evacuated nearby buildings at 1105 West Peachtree Street. Recovery efforts involved deploying two additional mobile cranes.
Source: Vertikal
2. Pick & Carry Crane Overturned in New South Wales, Australia
Date: February 18, 2021
A 25-tonne Franna crane overturned near Stuarts Point while traveling at approximately 55–65 km/h. The operator suffered head injuries but survived. Mid Coast Cranes dispatched recovery equipment, including a Grove GMK4100L and another Franna crane.
Source: Vertikal
3. Luffing Jib Failure in Brooklyn, New York, USA
Date: February 12, 2021
A Potain tower crane experienced a luffing mechanism failure, causing the jib to collapse at a high-rise construction site. Fortunately, the jib fell away from the building, avoiding injuries. New York’s Department of Buildings is investigating.
Source: Vertikal
4. Foundation Crane Collapse in Tokyo, Japan
Date: February 17, 2021
A Kato foundation crane tipped over in Kita-ku, Tokyo, leaning against power lines and temporarily cutting electricity to 1,000 homes. No injuries were reported, and investigations are ongoing.
Source: NHK News Web
5. Boom Truck Overturns in Mesa, Arizona, USA
Date: January 30, 2021
A boom truck crane with a 29-meter extended boom toppled while lifting electrical poles, damaging two mobile homes. Remarkably, no injuries occurred, and the crane has since been recovered.
Source: Vertikal
6. Rough Terrain Crane Collapse in Wakayama, Japan
Date: January 28, 2021
A rough terrain crane working on a bridge construction project in Shingu City collapsed while lifting materials. The operator, in his sixties, escaped unscathed. Authorities are investigating the cause.
Source: Sankei News
7. Tower Crane Jib Collapses in Hanam, South Korea
Date: January 8, 2021
At a Hanam construction site, the jib of a Chinese-imported tower crane (model SM3030) collapsed during a test run. Thankfully, no injuries occurred. South Korea’s type-approval standards are under review.
Source: Naver
8. Fatal Sling Failure in Pathum Thani, Thailand
Date: January 26, 2021
Two workers fell to their deaths from a 25-meter height when a sling holding a man cage snapped. The rough terrain crane operator fled the scene, and investigations are ongoing.
Source: MGR Online
9. Crane Topples During Window Cleaning in Taiwan
Date: January 24, 2021
A rough terrain crane tipped over while hoisting a cleaner in a man basket. Both the operator and the cleaner sustained minor injuries. Over-extension of the boom is suspected as the cause.
Source: CNA
10. Truck Crane Overturns in Hebei, China
Date: February 12, 2021
A truck crane in the Fengfeng mining area toppled while recovering a vehicle that had skidded down a slope. Another crane was required to recover both the vehicle and the toppled crane.
Source: Wangyi
11. Crane Collapses onto Road in Seoul, South Korea
Date: January 22, 2021
A rough terrain crane working near Oryu-dong Station collapsed onto a roadway. Miraculously, no injuries were reported despite heavy traffic in the area. Investigators suspect insufficiently extended outriggers.
Source: MBC News
Final Thoughts
These incidents highlight the importance of rigorous safety protocols and equipment maintenance in the crane industry. Each accident serves as a reminder of the potential risks involved and underscores the need for continual vigilance.
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Tags: Crane Accidents, Tower Crane, Rough Terrain Crane, Boom Truck, Construction Safety, Heavy Lifting
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