Fatal Accident Occurs on Ship-To-Shore Gantry Crane

This boating safety case occurred in Washington and involves a fatal accident which took place on a ship to shore container gantry crane. Defense counsel requires an inspection to be performed by someone experienced in OSHA regulations and specifications governing the design and placement of walkways, safety platforms, baskets, protection from pinch points, etc. on such cranes in the shipping industry.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have specific OSHA training pertaining to the inspection of gantry cranes?

2. Have you ever served as an expert witness on a case involving a crane related accident?

Expert Witness Response E-008522

As an employee of the US Navy, it was not a requirement to get the 29 CFC 1919 accredited maritime inspector listing because the Navy’s standards were accepted by OSHA as “an Alternate Standard,” meaning the Navy standard met or exceeded OSHA requirements. I helped write portions of the Navy’s weight handling equipment manual based in part on OSHA regulations. As for the OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 hour courses, they are very basic general safety courses, not specific to the crane industry. My work since 1977 has been crane and rigging specific. I sit on three American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) crane and rigging committees that, in conjunction with ANSI, publish documents used by OSHA. I also hold several NCCCO certifications and accreditations that required written tests covering OSHA regulations among other things. Finally, I review and cite OSHA regulations in preparation for every expert report. I have a fairly in-depth knowledge of OSHA regulations for cranes and rigging and 38 years of related experience including 18 years of standards writing experience and 3 years as an expert witness in similar cases.