2026-04-14 ヒューストン大学（UH）
A UH professor has found that a staggering 80% of offshore accidents are driven by human and organizational factors and he has found complementary strengths to address the inconsistencies.
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2026/april/04142026-offshore-crane-safety-zhu.php
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/24725838.2025.2612656
クレーン安全基準の比較：人間工学的観点から Comparison of Crane Safety Standards: A Human Factors Perspective
Pratikshya Tiwari,Weihang Zhu & Kevin McSweeney
IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors Published:13 Jan 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2025.2612656
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS
We compared offshore crane safety standards in the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway, focusing on human factors contributing to incidents. High similarity was found in maintenance procedures, hand signals, and communication, reflecting shared priorities like adhering to manufacturer recommendations and enforcing substance abuse policies. Moderate alignment was observed in inspection intervals, personal protective equipment requirements, and personnel roles, with some variation in specific practices. Notable gaps were identified in training, lift categorization, and personnel qualifications, with the United States emphasizing certification timelines, while the United Kingdom and Norway focus on ongoing competence. These findings highlight strengths in each standard and offer a roadmap for harmonizing global practices. Practitioners can use these results to benchmark current practices, address gaps, and reduce human error. By aligning international standards, practitioners can develop more effective training, improve communication protocols, and implement consistent safety measures, ultimately enhancing the reliability and safety of offshore lifting operations.
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT
Background
Cranes are vital in industrial and construction settings for lifting and moving heavy objects precisely. However, their use carries substantial risks, including structural failures, unstable loads, and human error, leading to injuries, property damage, and delays. Comprehensive safety standards developed by regulatory bodies address these risks, covering design, installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection protocols.
Purpose
We compared offshore crane safety standards across several developed and developing countries, emphasizing human factors. We examined standards from the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and partially in Nigeria and Australia, to identify areas for improvement and potential harmonization and to promote greater consistency and safety in offshore operations.
Methods
We conducted a comparative analysis of national safety standards using 11 categories derived from human factors identified in the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) root cause maps. These categories served as a framework for comparing how different nations address human factors in crane operations, examining maintenance practices, communication protocols, inspection intervals, training frameworks, and weather conditions. A similarity scoring method (1–10 scale) was applied to assess alignment.
Results
Our analysis revealed high alignment in maintenance procedures, hand signals, and communication protocols, reflecting shared priorities. Moderate consistency was found in inspection intervals, personal protective equipment, and personnel roles, with regional variations. Gaps were identified in training, lift categorization, and personnel qualifications, where the U.S. emphasizes certification timelines, while the United Kingdom and Norway prioritize ongoing competence.
Conclusions
Our results highlight strengths and gaps in standards, offering a roadmap for harmonizing practices globally. Insights gained can help policymakers refine standards, guide industry stakeholders in reducing human error, fostering safer workplaces and aligning practices with global norms. However, limited access to full standards remains a major barrier to comparative research.
