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Safety Group Formed to Investigate TriBeCa Crane Collapse, Mayor Says

By Ben Fractenberg | February 25, 2016 9:23am
 A witness said that the operator was lowering its load when the equipment fell.
A witness said that the operator was lowering its load when the equipment fell.
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DNAinfo/Megan Cerullo

MANHATTAN — A “technical working group” has been appointed to recommend ways to improve crane safety after the deadly TriBeCa collapse earlier this month, officials announced Wednesday.

The group will take 90 days to investigate what led to the Feb. 5 incident and provide additional regulations for crane operators. Members include engineering, construction and policy experts.

“We put the safety of our people first,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “This is a group of dedicated professionals that will ensure we have strong, science-based policies in place to protect New Yorkers as we continue to build the greatest city in the world.”

The working group includes Mary C. Boyce, an engineering dean at Columbia University; Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, an engineering dean at NYU; Peter J. Madonia, Chief Operating Officer of the Rockefeller Foundation; Bill Goldstein, a former senior adviser to the mayor for Recovery, Resiliency, and Infrastructure; and Wayne A. Crew, General Secretary of the National Academy of Construction.

None of the members have pending business before the city, according to officials.

Construction workers were trying to lower the crawler crane while winds reached 25 mph just before it tipped over.

The 565-foot-long arm crashed onto Worth Street, killing 38-year-old David Wichs.

Officials have already implemented new regulations, including ceasing crane operation when winds are forecast to exceed 20 mph, increased enforcement of sidewalk and street closures related to crane activity and requiring operators to notify local residents and businesses before they move the crane.