ICSA publishes new safety guidance on operating cranes near overhead power lines

Important new guidance on the safe operation of cranes near power lines has been published by the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA), the organisation that brings together global crane manufacturers and users, including ESTA. The detailed 30-page document – freely available from the ESTA or ICSA websites – provides guidance for operations near energized power … Read more

Long-awaited European heavy transport reforms move a step closer

Crucial Europe-wide revisions of the rules and regulations governing the heavy transport sector – long called for by ESTA – moved a step closer on Monday (October 7) when the newly installed European Parliament’s important Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee voted to back them. The measures include the Europe-wide adoption of the standard SERT documentation … Read more

ESTA makes urgent request for EU heavy transport support

ESTA is calling on its members and the whole heavy transport industry to take immediate action this weekend to back proposed and essential EU transport reforms by lobbying their relevant national MEPs. On Monday evening, October 7, the newly appointed members of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee will meet to discuss whether … Read more

Scale of AdBlue safety concerns revealed by ESTA research

Research being carried out by ESTA has exposed deep concerns in the heavy transport and lifting sectors about engine malfunctions thought to be caused by AdBlue additives. ESTA has been urging members to send in information about problems with the use of AdBlue in mobile cranes and SPMTs after concerns were raised at a meeting … Read more

ESTA sets out five-year transport priorities in new manifesto

ESTA has published a five-year manifesto for European abnormal transport to highlight the organisation’s medium-term strategic transport priorities from now until 2029. The manifesto – entitled “Competitive and Harmonised Abnormal Transport in Europe – is intended to support the delivery of ESTA’s overall mission to improve the safety and efficiency of Europe’s vital heavy transport … Read more

Members asked to boost expert backing for HSE work

ESTA is calling on its members to encourage their own health and safety experts to support the expanding work of the association’s HSE Commission as it campaigns for the harmonization of European HSE regulations and systems. The Commission started work last year as a permanent addition to ESTA’s structure, recognising the long-term and complex nature … Read more

Call for European electronic co-driver system after ERNA’s German success.

ESTA is calling on authorities around Europe to adopt standardised electronic permitting, route and driver support systems as a way to both improve safety and efficiency in the heavy transport industry. The call follows Germany’s country-wide acceptance of ERNA, the Efficient Road Navigation Assistant developed by ESTA member Sommer, the German heavy transport support company. … Read more

European optimism on marking and lighting regulations

ESTA is optimistic that new regulations to harmonize marking and lighting on heavy transport will be contained in the EU’s revised Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53) that is currently being considered by the Council of Ministers. The association has been campaigning on this issue for more than five years since it set up a specialist … Read more

ESTA makes crane winch gearbox maintenance guide free to all

ESTA has agreed to make its new guide on mobile crane winch gearbox maintenance freely available to any interested organisation as part of its ongoing push to improve safety standards. Circulation of guides produced by ESTA is normally restricted to members, but ESTA believes there is growing interest in this issue from a wide range … Read more