Crane Safety Report Reveals Widespread Communication Gaps, Highlights Training Deficits
Event summary
- 98% of crane professionals reported communication challenges in the past 90 days, per NSC/NCCCO Foundation report
- Only 29% of 405 crane-related fatalities (2015-2024) involved operators, highlighting broader jobsite risks
- Non-certified riggers/signalpersons viewed as less effective than certified peers
- Human factors (production pressure, distractions) contribute more to unsafe practices than technical errors
- Webinar scheduled for September 29, 2026 to discuss findings and safety strategies
The big picture
The report underscores persistent safety challenges in high-risk construction environments, where human factors often outweigh technical deficiencies. With crane fatalities disproportionately affecting non-operators, the findings suggest certification programs and pre-lift planning could become key differentiators for safety-conscious contractors. The research builds on growing industry emphasis on preventative safety measures through technology and standardized training.
What we're watching
- Certification Impact
- Whether standardized training programs can reduce communication gaps and improve safety outcomes
- Regulatory Response
- The pace at which findings may prompt OSHA or other agencies to update crane safety standards
- Technology Adoption
- How digital communication tools might address identified signaling and coordination challenges
Related topics