SECTION FEATURE and construction firms as the new year approaches. To that end, SC & RA works tirelessly on the advocacy side to ensure that regulatory and legislative language remains fair and reasonable, and that compliance by the industry remains achievable. These rules, along with industry consensus standards, must be followed to guarantee safe jobsites— from Washington state’ s new tower crane safety bill to ANSI B30 standards to state permitting laws.
The challenge is not only in maintaining current company policies and procedures, but also staying abreast of new technology paving the way for safer operations, such as load-monitoring devices, anti-collision systems and automation.
Combined with working through the ripple effects of global supply chain disruptions, which are still being felt across the crane industry, the necessary focus on safety for U. S. crane companies should remain a steady focus for industry leaders looking to not just move through modern challenges successfully, but position themselves strategically for future opportunities and the growth that comes with it.
Automation and Efficiency
In response to labor shortages and increasing project demands, the U. S. crane industry is turning to automation and technological innovation. As a result, technology, from GPS tracking and telematics to Artificial Intelligence-driven predictive maintenance and drone-assisted inspections, is rapidly transforming the industry. Together, these systems monitor crane performance and identify issues before they result in costly breakdowns. Accordingly, companies can extend the lifespan of their machinery and reduce project delays caused by equipment failures.
The push toward automation is also driven by the dual need to address the labor shortages and improve project efficiency. Remote-controlled and autonomous cranes are beginning to emerge, offering solutions to sites with limited space or hazardous conditions.
However, it should be noted that while automation offers significant advantages, it also poses challenges. In-
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