Crane collapse costs companies GBP 38,000
September 11, 2008
Two companies have been prosecuted after an accident in which a telescopic crane collapsed at a building site in Warrington.
Both the AMEC Group and Leach Structural Steelwork have each been fined £10,000 and are paying £9,143 in costs.
No-one was hurt in the accident as the crane driver successfully leapt to safety and the falling structure missed a further two employees.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Nic Rigby claims it was only chance which prevented the accident resulting in death.
The crane collapsed because it was being used in an area which was not sufficiently prepared for it, the expert asserts.
It was being used on a road which was not wide enough to allow the proper use of its outrigger spread.
The representative says: "Clear warnings were ignored in the run-up to this incident about the ground bearing capacity for the use of cranes on the site."
Earlier this month, Contract Journal reported guidance for those using luffing jib crane towers had recently been published by the Construction Plant-hire Association following an accident in Liverpool.
Both the AMEC Group and Leach Structural Steelwork have each been fined £10,000 and are paying £9,143 in costs.
No-one was hurt in the accident as the crane driver successfully leapt to safety and the falling structure missed a further two employees.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Nic Rigby claims it was only chance which prevented the accident resulting in death.
The crane collapsed because it was being used in an area which was not sufficiently prepared for it, the expert asserts.
It was being used on a road which was not wide enough to allow the proper use of its outrigger spread.
The representative says: "Clear warnings were ignored in the run-up to this incident about the ground bearing capacity for the use of cranes on the site."
Earlier this month, Contract Journal reported guidance for those using luffing jib crane towers had recently been published by the Construction Plant-hire Association following an accident in Liverpool.
More Court Cases news:
Knauf pays GBP 7,000 after accident - November 18, 2008Inquest suggests accident 'due to lack of communication' - November 18, 2008
Calderbrook Estates and contractor fined - November 13, 2008
Scotts Company fined GBP 80,000 over accident - November 13, 2008
Working at height accident costs firm GBP 30k - November 12, 2008
