Crane and Lifting Incidents in Abu Dhabi — 2026 Trends

ADOSH-SF's (formerly ADOSH-SF (formerly OSHAD)) 2026 focus areas explicitly include lifting operations following a cluster of dropped-load and tip-over incidents on Abu Dhabi infrastructure and building projects late in 2025. Investigations have consistently pointed at the same three weak spots.

1. Lift plan quality

• Generic lift plans reused for tandem lifts, blind lifts and critical lifts with no re-engineering.
• Load radius and configuration not matched to the actual crane on site.
• Wind exposure not modelled for the specific location and lift height.

2. Ground bearing verification

A crane pad certificate is a starting point, not a guarantee. UAE ground conditions change with irrigation, temporary drainage, and adjacent excavation. Ground bearing capacity should be re-verified before a critical lift, not just at mobilisation.

3. Radius management on the day

• Lift supervisor with the load in sight — not doing three lifts at once.
• Exclusion zone physically enforced, not just marked.
• Radio discipline — one voice to the operator, others silent.
• Wind speed monitored live, with stop thresholds pre-agreed.

Critical lift review evidence

Every critical lift on a 2026 Abu Dhabi project should generate a reviewable record: engineered lift plan, crane inspection, rigging inspection, operator and rigger competency, exclusion zone photo, wind reading log, and post-lift closeout. The platform's critical-lift radius view and pre-lift checklist produces this bundle automatically.