State shuts down construction crane at Valley Medical

State officials halted operation of a crane working on a construction project at Valley Medical Center, citing possible electrical problems.

The state Department of Labor and Industries (DLI) said it was working with contractors to put the crane back in operation the week of June 9.

The state also shut down two construction cranes at projects in Seattle for electrical and structural problems. All the cranes in question were manufactured by the same company, Sun Cranes, and are the only such equipment erected in the state, DLI reported.

“The safety of workers and the public is of utmost importance, and that’s why we shut down these cranes until they meet basic code requirements,” said Steve Cant, an assistant director for DLI.

DLI said its action came after two reports from independent engineers about potential problems in the cranes, including:

• In all three cranes, the electrical systems hadn’t been evaluated and approved. A faulty electrical system can lead to electrical fires, motor failures or shocks.

• The cranes in Seattle had modifications that didn’t meet structural integrity assurances.

• Part of the crane towers are from one manufacturer, and other portions are from another manufacturer.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.