HÀ NỘI – Hà Nội’s People’s Committee has decided to restrict the operation of cranes at construction sites, which would likely affect traffic and neighbouring construction projects.   

Specifically, cranes would only be allowed to operate between 10pm and 6am, and warning systems and safety guidelines must be installed at the construction sites.

Crane operators must have professional qualification certificates, safety certificates and licences to operate cranes on construction sites.

The move aims to curb potential risks of fatal accidents caused by the misuse of cranes in the city.

Since earlier this year, a number of accidents caused by the misuse of cranes have occurred in the city.

No fatalities were reported, but it caused panic to nearby residents and damaged people’s houses.

In HCM City, the city’s authorised agencies also began inspecting construction sites.

Huỳnh Tấn Dũng, chief inspector of the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, told the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper that from now until May 10, the department would perform 100 inspections of labour safety in high-rise buildings.

Another 100 tests on regulations related to construction cranes would also be administered, he said.

Up to 24 local authorities at district levels would revise the labour safety codes of residential construction works, he added.

Currently, the city has more than 500 ongoing high-rise construction projects, which utilise 200 tower cranes.

Dũng said the number of fatal occupational accidents within the construction sector was alarming, accounting for 50-60 per cent of the total number of all occupational accident fatalities in the city.

Since the beginning of this year, 17 out of 19 occupational accidents in HCM City were caused by the misuse of construction cranes.

The data revealed that occupational accidents in this field had not been effectively controlled, he said.

Dũng said a campaign must be implemented promptly to solve the problem. Apart from issuing strict penalties to construction enterprises, it was necessary to change the mindset of these enterprises, Dũng said. -- VNS