Luffing Jib Tower Crane Jib Blown Over in High Winds in Melbourne

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.