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Cranes have towered over Austinites in greater numbers these last few years, showing a city in flux with a dramatically altered skyline. The Statesman counts two dozen on a given day. Of late, however, the greatest concern has not been the long-neck steel eyesores, but whether the cranes won't come down on your head, or the lunchroom in your office building.

Several notable accidents have recently occurred. The first that received national attention came from Midtown Manhattan this spring, when a crane collapsed, killing four. A second accident, at a Houston refinery last month, also killed four people. On July 30, a man died in Bastrop County while working from a crane's lift to dismantle State Highway 95 in Smithville. Here in town, many will recall the October mishap at Ninth and Red River, where a four-story crane collapsed (no injuries occurred from this incident).

Of note, New York city and state do have a permit and safety process in place, while nationally, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) performs only random spot checks on cranes.

Neither Austin nor the state of Texas currently regulates cranes in any way, excepting transport on state highways. Local crane companies do not appear to favor the addition of regulations, citing the slowing economy.

The vote was prompted by councilmember Mike Martinez, and should the council vote to approve the crane study, the city manager would return his results on August 28.

[KEYE: Austin's City Council To Examine Crane Safety]