Speaker Interviews Crane Safety 2016

Crane Safety 2016 is an essential forum for all crane operators, construction companies and regulators to hear contributions from regulators, strategies from main contractors and technical insights from engineering thought leaders. Attendees will discuss and explore all the practical issues being faced in major construction projects and identify methods to overcome them.

Read on to hear direct from speakers and attendees about what they are looking to address at this event and some key insights from senior industry professionals

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Steve Leyton at Keltbray Group talks challenges and expectations in crane use

Q: Why do you think it is important to attend this event?
A: The importance particularly lies from an engineering point of view, on looking at practical and technical applications of how to keep your cranes safe and stable during operations. Including safety and stability of the load including the crane.

Q: What are the main engineering challenges facing the industry at the moment?
A: With urban demolition, you have to consider lots of different agencies, particularly in London where you have rail, underground and other infrastructure very close together. Developing methods to effectively using the space around you is a key challenge. An example was a tower crane in Moorgate right near the tube, we had to build steel frame through pavement and the crane floated above the road.

Q: What key topics are you excited about addressing?
A: A bit of everything! Talking to people who are working in different fields, planning, site managers, and crane operators themselves would be a good opportunity. My job is about solutions, so speaking with people who have different perspectives is always helpful.

The thing is, if you don’t go to events like this, you might miss something in terms of methods, machinery, crane technology, or something else that affects you in your project or business. You need to be open to new techniques all the time and it’s a good opportunity to share.

Q: What are the most common gripes you hear from your lifting experts?
A: Dealing with multiple stakeholders is always a challenge, and making sure that everyone is happy considering their different aims.

Q: What are your top tips when tackling a new lifting challenge?
A: Consider all possibilities. Don’t only use a ‘one size fits all’ method, as it may not be the best for your circumstances. Particularly in urban environments, sometimes even not using a crane can be the best way; for example when doing a bridge lift in a residential area, we used a steel frame with skid tracks which significantly minimised noise.

Q: Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
A: Tim Watson is very highly regarded within industry, so having him on the programme is a great opportunity. The presentation from Mace Group will be very interesting particularly from a technological and strategic point of view. Sparrows group’s presentation on offshore cranes is also quite exciting. Any new approaches to procedure and environments which increases safety is a plus, as in crane and lifting, there is a high risk that someone could end up injured, assets damaged or money lost if you don’t get it right.

Q: Describe your role in three words – be honest!
A: Rewarding. Challenging. Just… Great. I love what I do!

Steve Leyton is just one of the eleven speakers, including senior engineers from Health and Safety Executive, Mace Group, Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke, Sparrows Group and Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd, who will be speaking at Crane Safety 2016.

For full details, please visit www.imeche.org/cranesafety2016
Geoff Holden, CEO of LEEA, gives his reasons for joining Crane Safety 2016

Q: What are the main engineering challenges facing the industry at the moment?
A: A shortage of skills and increased competition from around the world.

Q: What key topics are you excited about addressing at Crane Safety 2016?
A: User competency is something that needs to be addressed to improve crane safety

Q: What are your top tips when tackling a new lifting challenge?
A: Ensure a robust lift plan, executed by competent personnel, using appropriate fit for purpose equipment

Q: Why do you think it is important for LEEA members to attend this event?
A: It would be an opportunity to learn from the challenges and safety issues that others in the industry have faced and overcome.

Q: Describe your role in three words – be honest!
A: Making things happen

Geoff is one of dozens of crane operators, lifting strategists, health and safety professionals, risk analysts and project managers who will be joining Crane Safety 2016 on 28 September in London.

For full details, please visit www.imeche.org/cranesafety2016

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We'd like to hear from you if you have a question about our conferences, seminars, events, calls for papers or programmes.

Looking to join the event? Visit www.imeche.org/cranesafety2016 for full programme details and to book your place.

Speaker Interviews Crane Safety 2016

Steve Leyton at Keltbray Group talks challenges and expectations in crane use

Geoff Holden, CEO of LEEA, gives his reasons for joining Crane Safety 2016

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