TALLAHASSEE, Fla — After last year’s devastating hurricane season, which saw widespread property damage and the collapse of a construction crane in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at improving crane safety standards on construction sites across the state.

The initiative is part of a broader hurricane preparedness package developed in response to both community concerns and lessons learned from recent storms. Among the most dramatic incidents cited by lawmakers was when Hurricane Milton brought strong winds that toppled a crane, causing it to crash into a nearby building—raising alarm about oversight on active construction sites during storm events.

“Residents everywhere were super frustrated because it felt like something that could have been avoided,” said State Senator Fiona McFarland, (R-Sarasota), who helped lead the effort.

In the wake of the crane collapse and widespread damage to infrastructure, including the roof being torn off Tropicana Field, state lawmakers embarked on a “listening tour” last fall. They met with local officials, residents, and industry professionals to gather input on how Florida could strengthen its storm response, especially in high-risk construction zones.

“We knew we needed to act quickly and thoughtfully,” McFarland added. “Before the bill was passed, current law was pretty silent on how cranes needed to be treated in a construction site.”

While existing federal regulations from OSHA govern general safety for crane operators, lawmakers found there was a lack of enforceable state rules specifically addressing how cranes should be secured in anticipation of hurricanes. The new legislation aims to close that gap.

“It’s a unique kind of situation where you have OSHA with their level of responsibility when it comes to health and the safety of crane operators,” said State Senator Nick DiCeglie, (R-Indian Rocks Beach). “But then when it comes to the things that we were laying out, there was just no state enforcement, no state mechanism.”

Under the new law, construction companies are now required to secure cranes and other hoisting equipment at least 24 hours before a hurricane is expected to impact the area. Sites must also maintain detailed preparedness plans that are subject to inspection. These plans must outline all on-site equipment, specify which items must be secured or removed, and provide a timeline for doing so.

“All work sites will have to have a plan in place available for inspection, and that plan details what equipment they have on the scene, what needs to be secured, maybe a timeline if they need to remove any equipment,” said McFarland.

Failure to comply with the new standards could result in serious consequences, including potential license revocation for contractors or companies that violate the rules.

Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet signed the bill into law, but last year he weighed in on the crane collapse, emphasizing the need for smarter decision-making.

“The question is should there be more regulation or more common sense? Do we have to regulate everything? I mean, most people take the cranes down,” said DeSantis in response to the incident.

Legislators say they worked closely with representatives from the construction and building sectors, as well as local governments, to craft a law that balances safety with practical implementation. The goal, they say, is not just to regulate but to prevent unnecessary tragedies in future hurricane seasons.

By proactively addressing crane safety now, Florida aims to reduce risks to lives and property in the face of increasingly severe storm threats. Lawmakers hope the changes will offer peace of mind to residents and ensure better coordination and accountability from the construction industry during emergencies.

Originally reported by Mackenzie LaPorte in WFLA.