CPA Bulletin

48 CPA Bulletin > February 2025 www.cpa.uk.net ESTA: 1 ESTA Called Safe Crane Operation in the Vicinity of Power Lines, the detailed 30-page document – freely available from the ESTA or ICSA websites – provides guidance for both operating companies and regulatory authorities “when evaluating requirements to prevent power line contact”. The guidance says that the risks must be mitigated through the detailed and appropriate site planning and operation of such projects. But it warns that the only way to completely eliminate the hazards associated with such crane operations is to de-energize and ground the power lines prior to crane operations starting. Key elements of the new critical safety guide include: • Rigorous risk assessment procedures that prioritise hazard elimination and control measures. • NO-GO Zones around power lines to clearly define safe operational boundaries. • Remote operation capabilities to enhance safety by minimising operator exposure. • Non-conductive materials that reduce the risk of electric shock or power line contact. In the European Union, the issue came into sharp focus last year with the publication of the new European Machinery Regulation which contains a requirement formobile machinery such as cranes to be designed in such a way as to prevent the risk of contact with an energised overhead powerline – something the manufacturers have long said is impossible. To obtain a free copy, go to the ESTA website library at https://estaeurope.eu/docs/ library/cranes/icsa-guidance-007/ or the ICSA website. ICSA Publishes New Safety Guidance on Operating Cranes Near Overhead Power Lines New Call on Brussels to Act on Safe Parking Measures ICSAN007 I nternational C rane S takeholders A ssembly -Guidance - “Safe Crane Operation in the Vicinity of Power Lines” Editing table:SafeCraneOperation in theVicinity ofPower Lines ICSAN007 DateApproved Versionnumber Remarks Edited by 16October 2024 01 InitialRelease SC&RA LegalNote: This publication is only forguidanceand givesan overview regarding the assessment of risks related to liftswhen operating cranes in the vicinityofpower lines.This document is an industrybest practicedocument that is based on the consensus ofmember organizations of ICSA. It is not a regulation or standard and should not be treated as such. It neither claims to cover all aspectof thematter, nor does it reflect all legal aspects in detail. It isnot meant to, and cannot, replace one’s knowledge of the pertaining directives, laws and regulations. Furthermore, the specific characteristics of the individual productsand the various possible applications have to be taken into account.This iswhy,apart from the assessments and proceduresaddressed in this guide,manyother scenariosmay apply. ©2024 ICSA.Exceptwhere otherwise noted, thiswork is licensed underCCBY-NC-ND 4.0.To view a copyof this license, visithttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ . ESTA and the European parking organisation ESPORG have embarked on a new round of discussions with the European Commission in an attempt to expand the provision of safe and secure truck parking areas - with special emphasis on those for abnormal and heavy transports. An ESTA Position Paper on the subject has been sent to the European Commission and will also be used by ESPORG both in its discussion with Brussels and in its own policy documents. ESTA is calling for: • the Commission to produce a report analysing parking capacity on European motorways accessible for abnormal road transport operators. • the revision of the eligibility criteria for projects funded by EU funds via the Connecting Europe Facility, to ensure that safe and secure parking places are adapted to the specific needs of abnormal transport. • parking infrastructure to be designed to accommodate abnormal transports • a booking system to allow registration of abnormal transport and to optimise occupancy • provision of abnormal transport parking facilities to be aligned with permitted routes. ESTA argues that such measures will both help to boost Europe’s industrial efficiency, improve safety and aid the recruitment of drivers, especially among women. The full ESTA Position paper is in the Library of ESTA’s website at: https://estaeurope.eu/docs/library/ transport/esta-positionpaper-sstpa/ Important new guidance on the safe operation of cranes near power lines has been published by the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA), the organisation that brings together global crane manufacturers and users, including ESTA. New Members Join as ESTA Hits New Record ESTA has hit a record 112 members from 28 countries. The figure comprises members across all categories - full members, special members, affiliates and supporters, along with the recently created category of individual membership. Details were revealed to ESTA’s ruling General Assembly meeting in Istanbul. Recently approved newmembers include Bechtel from the USA; Tenge doo from Serbia; Canadian consultant DyCat; BC Crane Safety, also from Canada; Terminal du Grand Ouest from France; Oznakliyat and Yilnak, both from Turkey; and Greek crane hire firm Giannakos Group.