CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2021 37 focus on Special interest groups SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS As many of our members will be aware, the CPA operates a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to create a forum for specialist fields of hire. Each SIG has its own Chair and CPA Training and Safety Manager Rob Squires acts as the co-ordinator between the CPA and the relevant SIG Chair. In each issue of the CPA Bulletin moving forward, we will be putting the spotlight on a nominated SIG and in this issue, we catch up with Dave Holder who is Chair of the Tower Crane Interest Group (TCIG). Dave has been TCIG Chair since 2015 and he is also the CPA Council Member for the Yorkshire region. Dave started his career at 15 when he left school and joined tower crane company Stanley Davies, which became a part of Hewden Stuart. After gaining experience across the tower crane and mobile crane sectors, he joined HTC Wolffkran in 2004. He was made Managing Director of HTC Wolffkran in the UK in 2015, before moving to group company Wolffkran AG in the position of European Operations Director with responsibility for the European rental fleet. Dave first became involved with the CPA in 2013 when he started attending TCIG meetings, and he quickly realised the benefits of being involved. At the time, crane veteran Syd Appleyard was the TCIG Chair and following Syd’s sad death, Dave was elected as Syd’s successor as TCIG Chair. The Tower Crane Interest Group comprises a Steering Group Committee of around 20 people who are eminent across the crane industry and associated sectors. The Steering Group normally meets twice a year and there is also an annual Open Meeting which anyone with an interest in the sector is welcome to attend. The last 12 months have, understandably, been a little different to the norm due to COVID restrictions, so meetings have been held by zoom but it is hoped that the next Open Meeting scheduled for the Autumn will be held face-to-face. Dave told us: “We’re very fortunate with the Tower Crane Interest Group that there is such a strong interest in it and we have great representation on the Steering Group Committee. It comprises a group of industry professionals who want to do good things for our industry and create a safer sector for all. “Our last face-to-face Open Meeting was held in October 2019 and around 70 people were in attendance. We’re looking to have our next Open Meeting in Central London if COVID restrictions allow. It’s relatively easy for everyone to get to regardless of where they are located in the country. “The Tower Crane Interest Group brings together people who have a vast array of experience that we can tap into. One of our primary roles is to raise awareness of tower crane safety and to keep users up-to-date with the required standards and regulations. The construction industry relies on tower cranes to transport and lift materials and goods and we work hand-in-hand with the construction sector. “One of the challenges we face is the public perception that tower cranes are dangerous. The tower crane sector actually has an excellent safety record, but when something goes wrong, the results can be catastrophic. Tower crane systems are safe and easy to use, but only when expertly installed and used by properly trained, competent individuals, and as a group we use our experience to inform users of the safest way to install and use equipment,” Dave added. One of core objectives of the Tower Crane Interest Group is to produce a wide range of Best Practice Guidance and to publicise the availability of that guidance. Supplementary to the Best Practice Guides are Technical Information Notes (TINs), of which there are currently a total of 51 on the TCIG roster. Dave added: “The TINs are constantly reviewed and refreshed on a five year periodic basis to make sure that they tackle any pressing issues, meet current standards and legislation and take into account any machinery changes. We generally review the TINs in batches of eight to 12 at a time. “We’re also currently working closely with the Lead AP Group and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to improve rescue from height. Another of our current projects is the update of TIN036 which relates to Tower Crane Power Supplies, Earthing Arrangements and Lightning Protection.” A major concern of TCIG over many months has been the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) ‘CAP 1096 Guidance to Crane Operators