Tower Crane safety Tower Crane Accidents

The UK construction industry faced significant challenges in 2023 with multiple tower crane incidents, triggering a comprehensive assessment of safety protocols. This article delves into the events and the subsequent push for higher safety standards.

The London Incident

The Incident

On a calm night in January 2023, a dramatic incident occurred at a construction site near the Central Middlesex Hospital in Acton, West London. A luffing tower crane’s jib, part of the Falcon Crane fleet, unexpectedly collapsed. The jib of the crane, which is the long horizontal part used for lifting loads, appeared to give way near its base and twisted around the tower. The police reported that the incident happened around 4:00 AM, and fortunately, there were no casualties as the site was unoccupied at the time.

The Aftermath and Investigation

The crane, owned by Falcon Cranes, caused minor damage to a building under construction. Falcon Cranes released a statement shortly after being notified of the incident, confirming the collapse and assuring that a thorough investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the incident would be conducted. Durkan, the contractor for the construction project, also launched an investigation in collaboration with the developer, Sovereign Network Group (SNG).

The Edinburgh Incident

The Incident

In another alarming incident, a crane arm crashed onto a new housing development in Leith, Edinburgh. The arm of the crane collapsed and landed on a block of flats under construction. Two people were treated at the scene, with the metal joists of the crane structure apparently “folding like matchsticks”.

The Aftermath and Investigation

The crane, operated by Falcon Tower Crane Services, and the site was being developed into apartments by Collab Construction[3^]. A full investigation was launched into the cause of the incident, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was notified[3^].

The Crewe Incident

The Incident

In June 2017, a tower crane from Falcon collapsed on a Seddon new-build care home development in Crewe, leading to the death of three men[5^]. David Newall, Rhys Barker, and David Webb were the unfortunate victims of this tragic incident[5^].

The Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

After a complex and lengthy investigation, Falcon Tower Crane Services Limited was charged with breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company expressed its disappointment at the HSE’s decision to prosecute but committed to contest the charges vigorously.

Crane Safety Regime in the UK: Is it Adequate?

Despite the frequency of crane-related incidents, questions remain about the adequacy of the current crane safety regime in the UK. Over the past decade, several accidents with fatal consequences have occurred, suggesting a need for a review of safety practices.

Competency and Training

The competency and training of those operating and supervising cranes have been identified as areas needing regulatory change. The current regulations, while providing a general duty to ensure health, safety, and welfare at work, do not offer clear guidelines on what constitutes “adequate” training. This lack of clarity leaves room for interpretation and potential lapses in safety.

Thorough Examinations

LOLER regulations require cranes to be thoroughly examined at specified intervals by a competent person. However, the legislation does not specify that the examinations should be carried out by a third party, potentially leading to self-monitoring and lack of impartiality.

Notification of Use

The Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations 2010 required any person with control over a tower crane to notify the HSE of its use on a construction site. However, this regulation was revoked in 2013, raising concerns about the lack of regulatory requirements for crane safety.

Conclusion

he tower crane accidents that occurred in 2023 have underscored the urgent need for a review and enhancement of the current safety regulations in the UK construction industry. A combination of more rigorous training, independent examinations, and a reinstatement of the notification of use could contribute to reducing the frequency of these unfortunate incidents. The industry must prioritise safety and efficiency to prevent future accidents and protect the lives of construction workers and the public.

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