New GBA Resource Offers Critical Crane Pad Risk Reduction Guidance

GBA is proud to announce the release of our newest member resource: Best Practices for Crane Pad and Working Platform Design and Inspection to address a high-risk, high-impact area of geotechnical and construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) practice.

There has recently been increased focus on preventing crane and rotary drilling rig overturning and tipping. As a result, GBA member firms are experiencing more requests to review and design the working platform for this equipment. In some cases, an engineered platform is required by legislation (Ontario), for permitting, or for insurance purposes.

There are numerous design guidelines available through contractor organizations and suppliers – this document is not intended to provide design guidelines. Rather, it discusses considerations for reducing risk of failure to the GBA member firm.

Crane pad and other working platform-related incidents can be catastrophic, resulting in significant damage to nearby structures and possibly severe injury and loss of life. These incidents disrupt schedules, inflate costs, and damage reputations.

This GBA Best Practices guide – a collaboration between GBA’s CoMET and Geotechnical Business Committees – helps geoprofessionals proactively identify and mitigate those risks. It emphasizes the importance of early engagement, clear communication, and documentation to protect firms from liability and ensure project success.

By addressing these considerations, GBA member firms can effectively reduce their risk exposure as they navigate the complexities of crane pad and working platform projects and provide quality work to their clients.

The recommendations provided are applicable to projects of varying scales and complexities, and are intended to be adaptable to different environments, clients, and standards.

Member Benefit: Free and Easy Access
As always, GBA Best Practices are available free to members. It’s one more way GBA supports your work with highly effective resources tailored to the unique needs of geoprofessionals.

GBA members know that excellence in geoprofessional practice means more than just good engineering. It means anticipating problems, communicating clearly, and delivering solutions that protect people and projects. Download Best Practices for Crane Pad and Working Platform Design and Inspection here: