CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2023 41 ESTA: 2 A new ESTA crane risk management working group is planning to produce new guidelines to help companies assess the risks involved in different types of work and give them advice on how to protect themselves using properly drafted terms and conditions. The work will especially be aimed at smaller companies but is also expected to contain information for clients to help themmanage projects safely and ensure that they give accurate and relevant information to their suppliers. Apart from ESTA Director Ton Klijn, the group includes Marcel Schets, SHEQ manager at Mammoet; Joe Collins, heavy lift manager with Becht Engineering; and Norbert van Schaik, senior lifting specialist with Siemens Gamesa. Crane group investigating risk management guidelines Germany pressed to act on transport delays and bureaucracy Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and the Danish Transport Training Board (TUR) have asked ESTA to investigate the possibility of creating a common European licencing system for drivers of European Modular System (EMS) type 1 vehicles. Supporters believe that creating a common licence similar to ESTA’s European Crane Operators Licence (ECOL) would raise standards, increase safety and make cross border trade much more efficient. At present, the standards and laws vary greatly from country to country, which means that transports usually need a locally qualified driver for each country they pass through. Denmark starts debate about ECOL-style common EMS licence Pressure is growing on the German government to take urgent action on the twin concerns of permit delays for heavy transport and weak infrastructure - both of which are causing major problems and additional costs for projects right across the country. The issue was raised by MPs in the German parliament at the end of January and follows a growing chorus of complaints from industry, port authorities and transport companies. ESTA has been pressing the German authorities to take urgent action to deal with the difficulties of obtaining heavy transport permits since the country introduced its controversial new VEMAGS online permitting system for the application and approval for oversized and heavy transports in all 16 federal states. Transport companies complain that the new system is leading to increased costs, unnecessary bureaucracy and even greater delays as permit issuing offices are often under-resourced and often lack the necessary expertise. ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “We fear that a large number of transports are being forced to work without the necessary permits in place - simply because the system is not fit for purpose.” Now other industries have joined the debate, saying that the situation is badly harming German business. The Bavarian construction association Bayerische Bauindustrieverband launched a scathing attack on the current situation and similar concerns have been expressed in Hamburg where businesses have said that some companies are using alternative ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp because of the delays in Germany. French crane association UFL celebrates its 50th birthday in Paris Union Française du Levage (UFL) - the French crane association and a founder member of ESTA - celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special dinner in Paris on 8thMarch, held in the historic Pavillon Dauphine on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Created in 1972, the UFL was formerly known as SNUG (the National Union of Users of Cranes and Assembly and Handling Companies). It represents the interests of companies in the French lifting sector, bringing together lifting and handling companies along with equipment manufacturers. Today, UFL represents 80 per cent of the French fleet from small and medium sized businesses to subsidiaries of international groups. Its 73 members employ approximately 10,000 people in France with a turnover of two billion euros.