NEW YORK — Less than two months after a deadly crane crash in Lower Manhattan, a mayor-appointed task force relaxed safety standards for crane operation in high winds, according to the Department of Buildings.
Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to study the issue of crane safety for 90 days after David Wich, a Harvard educated financier, was crushed to death on Worth Street on Feb. 5 by a crawler crane that toppled over in 25 mph winds.
The mayor-appointed task force — which has been criticized for not including any crane experts — promised to study best practices for crane operation for about three months, but started make changes to the emergency regulations put in place after the crash this week, according to the DOB.
Crains business journal reported that the accelerated timeframe came amidst construction company complaints about losing money.
The crane safety task force recommended to change emergency regulations to once again allow some cranes to operate in high winds, according to the Department of Buildings.
In addition to allowing cranes to operate in winds up to 30 mph, the Department of Buildings outlawed all crane configurations that are similar to the one that crashed in February. Despite the relaxed regulations on cranes rated for work above 20 mph, Department of Buildings officials said the group is "going one step further" in their recent directive.
“In consultation with the Technical Working Group, we are tightening regulations on cranes rated for lower wind speeds while allowing cranes that can operate safely in higher winds to go about their work," Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler said.
"However, both the crane collapse investigation and the Working Group’s review are still ongoing, and we may have further modifications to these rules in the coming weeks, including enhanced regulation and enforcement of crane operations."
WARNING: Video contains profanity.
Video of the crane collapse
Posted by Lou Young on Friday, February 5, 2016
The city also now requires a licensed engineer to be present for any crane operations where the machinery has less than a 30 mph wind rating. These interim regulations will remain in place until late May, when the task force is expected to complete their full report.
