Luffing Jib Tower Crane Jib Blown Over in High Winds in Melbourne
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
30-Second Takeaway
The jib of a large luffing jib tower crane was blown backward during strong winds at a data centre construction site in Derrimut, west Melbourne, on Wednesday morning. The incident involved a Favelle Favco M-1280D tower crane and occurred in reported wind speeds of 40–50 km/h. The jib came down onto parked vehicles, but no injuries were reported. The crane operator remained in the cab for around an hour before being safely rescued. WorkSafe has been notified and is investigating.
Incident Overview
A luffing jib tower crane experienced a serious wind-related incident on Wednesday morning August 27th at a data centre construction site in Derrimut, a suburb in west Melbourne, Australia.
During a period of moderate to strong winds, the crane’s jib was blown over the rear of the crane, coming down onto parked vehicles below.
What Is Known
Location: Derrimut, west Melbourne, Victoria
Crane involved: Favelle Favco M-1280D luffing jib tower crane
Owner/operator: General Cranes
Project: Data centre construction
Reported wind speeds: Approximately 40–50 km/h
Injuries: None reported
The jib landed on two parked cars, causing damage but no personal injuries.
Crane Details
The Favelle Favco M-1280D has a rated capacity of:
150 tonnes at a 17.8-metre radius, or
13 tonnes at an 80-metre radius
The crane was actively installed and working on the site at the time of the incident.
Operator Rescue
The crane operator remained in the cab following the incident and was rescued approximately one hour later.
After rescue, the operator was:
Assessed for shock
Found not to require special medical treatment
Investigation Status
WorkSafe Victoria was notified shortly after the incident and confirmed that investigators planned to attend the site to:
Inspect the crane and surrounding area
Review wind conditions and crane configuration
Determine contributing factors
At the time of publication, no official cause has been released.
Why Incidents Like This Can Occur
Luffing jib tower cranes are particularly sensitive to wind forces, especially when:
Jibs are not fully weathervaned or positioned in out-of-service mode
Wind gusts exceed expected thresholds
Rapid changes in wind direction occur
Even moderate-to-strong wind conditions can generate significant loads on long jib structures.
Industry Reminder
Wind remains one of the most unpredictable hazards affecting tower cranes. Incidents can escalate rapidly when wind loads exceed structural or configuration limits.
The absence of injuries in this event was fortunate and reinforces the importance of wind awareness, configuration discipline, and proactive decision-making.
Editorial Note
Crane Hub Global reports on crane-related incidents to support industry awareness and prevention. This article reflects information available at the time of publication and will be updated if official findings are released.
How Incidents Like This Can Be Prevented
Strict Wind Threshold Management
Clear operational and out-of-service wind limits must be defined, monitored, and enforced at all times.
Out-of-Service Configuration Discipline
When not lifting, luffing jib cranes should be placed in approved weathervane configurations to reduce wind loading.
Continuous Wind Monitoring
Real-time wind measurement at jib height provides more accurate conditions than ground-level readings alone.
Operator Decision Authority
Operators must retain full authority to stop work and place cranes into safe configuration when wind conditions deteriorate.
Secure Site and Drop Zone Management
Vehicle parking and pedestrian access should be restricted beneath cranes whenever possible to reduce exposure if an incident occurs.
