Tower Cranes with Manufacturing Defects to Be Phased Out from Construction Sites

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Takes Administrative Action on 369 Units of 12 Defective Equipment Models Found Unsafe in Special Inspection

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 10th that during last year's special inspection of small tower cranes and investigation of equipment involved in accidents, manufacturing defects such as non-compliance with safety standards were found in 369 units across 12 tower crane models. Depending on the severity, these units will either be deregistered or subjected to corrective actions, and additionally, sales of the affected tower cranes will be suspended.

For three models (FT-140L, CCTL130-L43A, CCTL140-43A) with 120 units that violated safety standards, deregistration measures will be taken to prohibit their use. For nine models (CCTL80A, CCTL80B, CCTL110, CCTL120, CCTL90, CCTL90A, CCTL150A, CCTL150-L48A, CCTL150-L68B2) totaling 249 units that meet safety standards but have discrepancies between type approval documents and actual equipment or have incomplete reporting documents, corrective actions (recalls) will be ordered.

Furthermore, a sales suspension order will be imposed on all 369 units across the 12 models where manufacturing defects were discovered, preventing any further sales.

This measure follows a special inspection of small tower cranes conducted jointly by related agencies over five months from February to July last year. The Korea Transportation Safety Authority conducted manufacturing defect investigations on equipment suspected of defects during accident investigations of equipment involved in accidents. The findings were finalized after review by the Construction Machinery Manufacturing Defect Review Committee.

The investigation found that the three models subject to deregistration had safety standard violations such as luffing wire ropes and drums not meeting safety criteria. Additionally, the FT-140L model was found to have poor welding quality in critical mast welds, posing a high risk of weld fracture.

For the nine models subject to corrective actions, discrepancies were found such as the hoist winch (reducer, motor, drum) rotational force differing from actual measurements, a significant reduction in wire rope safety factors compared to reported values, and false or incomplete reporting documents including errors in test certificates, indicating the need for document and equipment supplementation.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that equipment failing to meet construction machinery safety standards will be strictly sanctioned by deregistration under relevant laws, while other equipment will be recalled for safety verification before use is permitted. All equipment found defective in this investigation will be subject to sales suspension orders.

Importers and sellers must submit corrective action plans regarding manufacturing defects to the Ministry before measures are implemented. Owners of the affected equipment will be notified of corrective methods via postal mail and mobile text messages.

Kim Kwangrim, Director of the Construction Industry Division at the Ministry, said, "This measure is expected to enhance safety at construction sites by preventing tower crane accidents," adding, "There can be no tolerance when it comes to safety, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will continue to strictly respond to any actions that compromise safety at construction sites and in construction machinery."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.