Firms fined after crane crashed down on building site
22 November 2012
The HSE have prosecuted two companies after a serious failure in communications led to an 80 tonne mobile crane toppling over, narrowly missing workmen and a busy road.
The incident happened on a building site in Fernbrook Road, Gillingham, on 18 August 2009 during construction of a new nursing home. The HSE's investigation found the lift itself was carried out unsafely as the crane was overloaded and being operated on poor ground. As a result the 80-tonne crane overturned and its extended 50 metre jib fell across the site, narrowly missing the workers and a nearby road. The HSE said a larger crane should have been used and ground mats were needed to spread the load of the crane's outriggers due to the poor ground conditions.
For more on this story visit HSE Press