Cranes & Elevating Work Platforms Expert Witness
Lifting & Elevating Machinery Failure Analysis
Gilmore Engineers can provide mechanical engineering experts in cranes, elevating work platforms and lifting equipment. Our engineer will analyse the evidence and locate the root cause of failures in these areas.
Over the last 30 years, Gilmore Engineers has been a leader in the analysis and investigation of incidents with machinery including crane failure analysis, elevating work platforms and lifting equipment analysis. Gilmore Engineers have provided more than 1,500 reports to members of the legal profession for matters before the Federal, Supreme and District Courts.
Gilmore Engineers examine the evidence that is available. They will give you an initial engineering assessment through a verbal opinion. If necessary, this opinion can be provided as a comprehensive report for the Court. Our experts will then follow through by presenting their evidence to the Court in person on your behalf if required.
- Crane dropping load
- Mobile crane crashes
- Crane collapse
- Injuries and fatalities
- Operator error
- EWP collapse
- Failing from EWP bucket
- Lifting equipment failures
Case Studies
Crane Dropped Multi Million Dollar Equipment
A crane was slowly lowering a large piece of mining equipment then suddenly allowed the load to descend rapidly, causing catastrophic damage to both pieces of equipment. Gilmore Engineers was engaged to identify the cause of the incident. Our expert engineers inspected the crane on several occasions and had components removed for further testing. Several factors contributing to the multi-million dollar loss were identified.
Overhead Gantry Crane Fatality
An unloaded overhead gantry crane was in operation when one of its guide roller assemblies failed, falling to the ground. The anti-derailment plate then malfunctioned, causing the other roller assembly to fail. The crane dislodged from the rail and crashed to the ground. The falling crane struck a person resulting in their death. Our engineer assessed the root cause of this tragic incident.
Crane Damaged Whilst Unloading From Ship
A crane was being unloaded from a ship when it swung impacting the dock, causing it damage. Our engineers evaluated video footage of the incident and inspected the crane at the port. After the crane had been disassembled, it was reinspected by our engineer to assess the damage and advise on appropriate action.
Mobile Crane Rollover
A mobile crane rolled over while negotiating a right-hand bend in the road. The driver claimed he was doing less than the speed limit and was slowing into the curve. The driver suffered fractured vertebrae during the incident. A thorough investigation looked at the road, the mechanical status of the vehicle, the tyres, speed and the path taken.
Crane Tipping Over at Wharf
A crane lifted an excavator from a ships hold then slewed the excavator towards the wharf. During this process, the crane tipped over, resulting in damage to both the crane and excavator. Gilmore Engineers were engaged in investigating the incident and determining the cause of the crane tipping over.
Falling onto Roof from an EWP
A person was lopping trees and branches from the bucket at the end of an extension arm of an Elevating Work Platform (EPW). The upper boom fell rapidly, ejecting the person from the bucket onto the roof of a two-storey house, then to the ground, causing severe injuries.
Rod End failure on an EWP
The bearing in a rod end on an elevating work platform (EWP) seized, leading to the failure of the rod end. This caused the EWP to collapse with the operator sustaining severe injuries. Our Engineer inspected the EWP and the failed rod end, to determine the cause of the bearing seizure.
Elevating Work Platform (EWP) Collapse
The operator of an elevating work platform (EWP) suffered severe injuries when it collapsed. During operation of the EWP, the pivot pin moved subsequently fell out, leading to the collapse of the upper boom arm.
Tilt Control Chain Failure on an EWP
The tilt control chain on an Elevating Work Platform (EWP) bucket broke. As a result in the bucket suddenly swung back and the occupant fell from the bucket. Our engineer inspected the EWP and the bucket tilt control chain identifying the cause of the failure.